Preeclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman retains large amounts of water and has hypertension, potentially causing seizures or coma. Which option lists this condition?

• A. Placenta previa
• B. Septicemia
• C. Cystitis
• D. Preeclampsia

Answer: (D)

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive condition that presents after about 20 weeks with high blood pressure and edema from fluid retention, and it can progress to seizures or coma (eclampsia) if not treated. The scenario’s combination of notable edema and hypertension, with the potential for seizures, fits this description best. Placenta previa causes vaginal bleeding due to placental position, septicemia is a systemic infection, and cystitis is a bladder infection; none of these inherently describe edema with new hypertension and risk of seizure.