North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What distinguishes preeclampsia from eclampsia?

1. Preeclampsia occurs after a seizure

2. Eclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure only

3. Preeclampsia is characterized by symptoms before seizure

4. Eclampsia includes swelling of the legs

The correct answer is: Preeclampsia is characterized by symptoms before seizure

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are conditions related to pregnancy that affect the health of the mother and baby. Preeclampsia includes a set of symptoms that can develop after the 20th week of pregnancy, primarily characterized by high blood pressure and often protein in the urine. The importance of recognizing preeclampsia lies in its potential to progress to eclampsia, which involves the onset of seizures. The distinguishing factor for preeclampsia is that it is defined by the presence of these symptoms occurring prior to the occurrence of seizures, making this option fundamentally accurate. Individuals with preeclampsia may experience other symptoms, such as headaches, visual disturbances, and swelling. If untreated, this condition can lead to eclampsia, which signifies a more severe situation involving seizures. In contrast to the other options, those discussing eclampsia or potential symptoms do not provide the critical timeframe or relationship of the conditions. Eclampsia is not solely characterized by high blood pressure, as seizures are a defining feature. Therefore, option C highlights the temporal aspect of the condition, which is key to understanding the progression from preeclampsia to eclampsia. It underscores the