Which condition is characterized by high blood pressure, proteinuria, edema, and headache after the 20th week of pregnancy?

• A. Preeclampsia
• B. Placenta previa
• C. Rh incompatibility
• D. Breech

Answer: (A)

This question is about a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder that appears after mid-pregnancy with signs in multiple body systems. When high blood pressure develops after 20 weeks together with protein in the urine and swelling, along with headaches, it points to preeclampsia. The underlying issue involves abnormal placental development leading to widespread endothelial dysfunction and vasoconstriction. That causes elevated blood pressure, leakage of protein into the urine, and fluid buildup in tissues (edema). Headache can occur from cerebral involvement due to vasospasm. Preeclampsia can progress to more dangerous conditions like seizures (eclampsia) or other organ complications (such as HELLP syndrome), so it requires careful monitoring and usually delivery when safe for both mother and baby.

Other listed conditions don’t fit this combination: placenta previa is primarily about vaginal bleeding without the proteinuria and edema pattern; Rh incompatibility leads to anemia and jaundice rather than this hypertensive–proteinuric syndrome; breech refers to fetal presentation and not the maternal signs described.