A nurse in a clinic is caring for an adolescent client who is at 24 weeks of gestation and showing signs of preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Rationale: A. Decreased serum uric acid: In preeclampsia, serum uric acid levels are elevated, not decreased, due to reduced renal clearance and tissue ischemia. Increased uric acid is often one of the earliest laboratory indicators of preeclampsia. B. Increased protein in urine: Proteinuria is a key diagnostic feature of preeclampsia resulting from glomerular endothelial damage that increases permeability to proteins. The presence of protein in the urine reflects kidney involvement and helps distinguish preeclampsia from gestational hypertension. C. Increased platelet count: Preeclampsia is typically associated with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) due to platelet aggregation and consumption within damaged blood vessels. An increased platelet count would not be expected in this condition. D. Decreased BUN: In preeclampsia, renal perfusion is reduced, leading to elevated BUN and creatinine levels. A decrease in BUN would indicate improved kidney function, which is inconsistent with the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.