AEMCA Practice Exam

When should pre-eclampsia be assumed in a patient?

1. After 20 weeks with a BP of 140/90 or greater

2. After 20 weeks only with edema present

3. Before 20 weeks if nausea occurs

4. Upon diagnosis of hypertension

The correct answer is: After 20 weeks with a BP of 140/90 or greater

Pre-eclampsia should be suspected in a patient after 20 weeks of gestation when blood pressure readings reach or exceed 140/90 mmHg. This benchmark is critical because pre-eclampsia typically develops after the 20th week of pregnancy, and elevated blood pressure is a primary indicator of this condition. In assessing pre-eclampsia, healthcare providers look for this specific threshold of blood pressure alongside other symptoms, such as proteinuria, which can help confirm the diagnosis. The presence of hypertension itself is a significant warning sign; thus, the identification of high blood pressure readings in a pregnant individual post 20 weeks poses an important clinical concern. The other scenarios presented, while they may involve symptoms or conditions relevant to pregnancy, do not meet the established criteria for assuming pre-eclampsia. For instance, the presence of edema alone is insufficient to diagnose pre-eclampsia unless accompanied by high blood pressure and other features. Nausea before 20 weeks is not indicative of pre-eclampsia, and hypertension must be evaluated in the context of gestational age and other symptoms to ascertain the diagnosis. This understanding highlights the importance of monitoring blood pressure as part of routine prenatal care.