A primigravida is being monitored in her prenatal clinic for preeclampsia. What finding should concern her nurse?

Question

a. Blood pressure increase to 138/86 mm Hg
b. Weight gain of 0.5 kg during the past 2 weeks
c. A dipstick value of 3+ for protein in her urine
d. Pitting pedal edema at the end of the day

Answer 1

C
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A Generally, hypertension is defined as a BP of 140/90 or an increase in systolic
pressure of 30 mm Hg or 15 mm Hg diastolic pressure.
B Preeclampsia may be manifested as a rapid weight gain of more than 2 kg in 1
week.
C Proteinuria is defined as a concentration of 1+ or greater via dipstick
measurement. A dipstick value of 3+ should alert the nurse that additional testing
or assessment should be made.
D Edema occurs in many normal pregnancies as well as in women with
preeclampsia. Therefore, the presence of edema is no longer considered
diagnostic of preeclampsia.