A woman who is 32 weeks pregnant presents to the clinic. The nurse suspects preeclampsia. Which of the following findings support this diagnosis? (Select All that Apply.)
Explanation & Rationale
A. Mild fatigue after walking is a common symptom in normal pregnancy and is not specific to preeclampsia. Fatigue alone does not indicate hypertension or organ involvement. B. Headache with blurred vision is a classic symptom of preeclampsia, indicating possible cerebral involvement due to elevated blood pressure and vasospasm. Persistent or severe headache should always be evaluated in the context of preeclampsia. C. Blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg after 20 weeks gestation in a previously normotensive woman is one of the diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia. This patient’s reading of 150/95 mmHg supports the diagnosis. D. Sudden weight loss is not a feature of preeclampsia. On the contrary, rapid weight gain due to fluid retention is often seen in preeclampsia. E. Proteinuria (+1 or higher on a urine dipstick or ≥300 mg/24 hours) is another hallmark of preeclampsia. +2 proteinuria indicates significant renal involvement, supporting the diagnosis.