Which finding is characteristic of preeclampsia?

• A. Leukocytosis and fever
• B. Hypotension with edema
• C. Hyperglycemia and polyuria
• D. Edema, hypertension, and proteinuria

Answer: (D)

Preeclampsia presents as new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation, often with proteinuria and edema. The key clue is the combination of high blood pressure with kidney involvement (protein in the urine) and fluid retention (edema), which together reflect placental dysfunction leading to maternal endothelial injury and vasospasm.

The other findings don’t fit the typical pattern: leukocytosis with fever suggests infection; hypotension with edema contradicts the hypertensive nature of preeclampsia; hyperglycemia and polyuria point toward diabetes. The trio of edema, hypertension, and proteinuria best captures the classic presentation.