Which symptom combination is commonly present in preeclampsia with severe features?

Which symptom combination is commonly present in preeclampsia with severe features?

• A. Rash
• B. Shortness of breath
• C. Headache and visual changes
• D. Nausea and vomiting

Answer: (C)

Headache with visual changes signals involvement of the nervous system, which is a hallmark of preeclampsia with severe features. In severe cases, the blood vessels in the brain can go into vasospasm and develop edema, leading to intense headaches and problems with vision such as blurred vision, flashes of light, or lost vision. These neurologic symptoms are red flags that the condition is at a level where urgent assessment and treatment are needed to prevent progression to seizures (eclampsia) or other organ complications. Other symptoms listed don’t pinpoint severe disease. Rash isn’t associated with preeclampsia. Shortness of breath can occur if there’s pulmonary edema, but it’s not the classic, most specific manifestation of severe features. Nausea and vomiting are common in pregnancy and don’t indicate severity on their own.

Headache with visual changes signals involvement of the nervous system, which is a hallmark of preeclampsia with severe features. In severe cases, the blood vessels in the brain can go into vasospasm and develop edema, leading to intense headaches and problems with vision such as blurred vision, flashes of light, or lost vision. These neurologic symptoms are red flags that the condition is at a level where urgent assessment and treatment are needed to prevent progression to seizures (eclampsia) or other organ complications.

Other symptoms listed don’t pinpoint severe disease. Rash isn’t associated with preeclampsia. Shortness of breath can occur if there’s pulmonary edema, but it’s not the classic, most specific manifestation of severe features. Nausea and vomiting are common in pregnancy and don’t indicate severity on their own.