Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

How does preeclampsia typically present?

1. Low blood pressure, headache, nausea

2. High blood pressure, edema, proteinuria

3. Severe abdominal pain, high blood sugar

4. Dizziness, fainting, proteinuria

The correct answer is: High blood pressure, edema, proteinuria

Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs during pregnancy and is characterized by the development of high blood pressure along with other significant symptoms. The hallmark presentation includes elevated blood pressure, which can become dangerously high, often defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater, or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater, occurring after 20 weeks of gestation. Additionally, edema, or swelling, is commonly seen in women with preeclampsia. This can manifest as swelling in the face and hands. Another key component of the condition is proteinuria, which refers to the presence of excess protein in the urine, indicating that the kidneys are being affected by the disease process. The presence of protein in urine can be detected through standard laboratory testing. In contrast, the other options include symptoms that do not align with the typical presentation of preeclampsia. Low blood pressure would be contrary to the characteristic high blood pressure seen in the condition, while severe abdominal pain and high blood sugar are more indicative of different complications such as gestational diabetes or other gastrointestinal issues. Dizziness and fainting could be symptoms of various conditions but do not specifically point to preeclampsia when assessed alongside the significant findings