Preeclampsia is diagnosed by which combination after 20 weeks gestation?

Preeclampsia is diagnosed by which combination after 20 weeks gestation?

• A. Hypertension with edema only
• B. Edema alone with normal blood pressure
• C. Hypertension plus proteinuria +/- edema after 20 weeks gestation
• D. Proteinuria without hypertension after 20 weeks gestation

Answer: (C)

Preeclampsia is diagnosed when new-onset hypertension develops after 20 weeks of gestation and is accompanied by proteinuria or signs of end-organ dysfunction. Edema alone is not enough to diagnose it, since edema is common in pregnancy and does not by itself indicate preeclampsia. So the best match is hypertension after 20 weeks plus proteinuria (proteinuria may be present with or without edema). The other options fall short because they either lack high blood pressure, rely on edema alone, or include proteinuria without hypertension.

Preeclampsia is diagnosed when new-onset hypertension develops after 20 weeks of gestation and is accompanied by proteinuria or signs of end-organ dysfunction. Edema alone is not enough to diagnose it, since edema is common in pregnancy and does not by itself indicate preeclampsia.

So the best match is hypertension after 20 weeks plus proteinuria (proteinuria may be present with or without edema). The other options fall short because they either lack high blood pressure, rely on edema alone, or include proteinuria without hypertension.