Which condition is characterized by severe edema, protein in urine, and elevated blood pressure?

Prepare for the Reproductive Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to confidently approach your exam.

The condition characterized by severe edema, the presence of protein in urine, and elevated blood pressure is preeclampsia. Preeclampsia typically occurs after the 20th week of gestation and is a pregnancy-related disorder. The key features include hypertension (blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher), edema, and proteinuria (protein in urine), indicating that the kidneys are affected.

Preeclampsia results from poor placentation leading to inadequate blood flow to the placenta, causing systemic maternal endothelial dysfunction. This dysfunction manifests as changes in blood pressure regulation and protein leakage into the urine due to increased permeability of the glomeruli in the kidneys. The condition poses significant risks to both the mother and the fetus, necessitating careful monitoring and, in some cases, early delivery.

In contrast, gestational hypertension primarily involves elevated blood pressure without the proteinuria or significant edema associated with preeclampsia. Eclampsia is a progression of preeclampsia that involves seizures, while chronic hypertension refers to high blood pressure present before pregnancy or diagnosed before the 20-week mark, without the associated symptoms of edema and proteinuria seen in preeclampsia. Thus, the unique combination of

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