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The primary diagnosis to be coded in this scenario is hypertension, as it is the condition that is being managed and treated during the outpatient visit. In medical coding, the primary diagnosis is typically determined based on the reason for the visit and the condition that is mainly responsible for the patient seeking care.

In this case, although the patient is being treated for a cold, if the visit is primarily centered around managing their hypertension—such as monitoring blood pressure or adjusting medications—then hypertension takes precedence in documentation and coding. This aligns with the coding guidelines that prioritize chronic conditions over acute conditions when they are both present.

The other options do not provide the same level of specificity or relevance to the reason for the visit. While the common cold is a current ailment, it is not the primary health concern that necessitated the visit in this example. Both conditions being coded equally would not align with coding best practices, as it fails to prioritize the more significant health issue impacting the patient's ongoing care. Not requiring a diagnosis at all would also contradict the necessity of documenting and coding for the conditions that are being treated or managed during the appointment.