MEDizzy - An office nurse is evaluating a 32-weeks-pregnant client.

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Care of Childbearing Families

An office nurse is evaluating a 32-weeks-pregnant client. The client presents for her routine visit with an elevated blood pressure of 142/89 mm Hg. Her urine is negative for protein and her weight gain is 2 pounds since her last routine visit at 30 weeks. She has trace pedal edema. Based on this information, the nurse should conclude that the client is most likely experiencing:

ExplanationGestational hypertension is defined as an elevation of maternal blood pressure with normal urine findings. Chronic hypertension occurs before 20 weeks and is a preexisting condition. Preeclampsia is marked by an ele- vated blood pressure with proteinuria. Eclampsia is characterized by the addition of nonepileptic seizures that coexist with preeclampsia.