Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Questions And
Answers NCLEX Exam 2022
1. The nurse knows that preeclampsia tends to occur during what time in a pregnancy?
A. before 20 weeks
B. in the third trimester and postpartum
C. after 20 weeks
D. in the first and second trimester
The answer is C. Preeclampsia tends to occur AFTER 20 weeks gestation.
2. A patient is currently 34 weeks pregnant with her first baby. Which findings below
could indicate the development of preeclampsia in this patient that would need to be
reported to the physician? Select all that apply:
A. 1600: blood pressure 144/100, 1700: blood pressure 120/80
B. 3+ dipstick urine protein
C. 1 hour glucose tolerance test 90 mg/dL
D. 0800: blood pressure 142/92, 1230: blood pressure: 144/98
E. <300 mg/dL 24-hour urine protein
The answers are B and D. Signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include: proteinuria (>1+
dipstick urine protein or >300 mg/dL 24 hour urine protein, hypertension >140/90…two
reading at least 4-6 hours apart), swelling in face, eyes, extremities, headaches, vision
changes, etc.
, 3. You’re providing an in-service to a group of new labor and delivery nurse graduates
about the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Which statement by one of the group
participants demonstrates they understood how this condition develops?
A. “The basal arteries of the myometrium fail to widen to support blood flow to the
placenta.”
B. “The placenta experiences ischemia because the spiral arteries of the uterus fail to
reshape and increase in diameter.”
C. “The cardiovascular system of the mother fails to compensate for the increased blood
flow from the fetus and placental ischemia occurs.”
D. “If the mother experience uncontrolled hypertension and proteinuria, it compromises
blood flow to the placenta and leads to preeclampsia.”
The answer is B. This is the only correct statement. When preeclampsia occurs it is
because the spiral arteries of the uterus failed to widen in diameter due to poor
trophoblast invasion during the beginning of the pregnancy. Overtime, this causes
problems (usually after 20 weeks gestation) and the placenta experiences ischemia.
When the placenta becomes ischemic is releases substances into mom’s circulation that
are very toxic to her endothelial cells, which causes all the signs and symptoms seen in
preeclampsia. Severity varies in patients.
4. A 37-year-old female patient who is 36 weeks pregnant is diagnosed with mild
preeclampsia. The nurse will include what information in the patient’s education? Select
all that apply:
A. Report weight gain of >4 lbs in one week to physician
B. Incorporate foods like eggs, nuts, fish, meat in your diet
C. Follow a no salt diet
Answers NCLEX Exam 2022
1. The nurse knows that preeclampsia tends to occur during what time in a pregnancy?
A. before 20 weeks
B. in the third trimester and postpartum
C. after 20 weeks
D. in the first and second trimester
The answer is C. Preeclampsia tends to occur AFTER 20 weeks gestation.
2. A patient is currently 34 weeks pregnant with her first baby. Which findings below
could indicate the development of preeclampsia in this patient that would need to be
reported to the physician? Select all that apply:
A. 1600: blood pressure 144/100, 1700: blood pressure 120/80
B. 3+ dipstick urine protein
C. 1 hour glucose tolerance test 90 mg/dL
D. 0800: blood pressure 142/92, 1230: blood pressure: 144/98
E. <300 mg/dL 24-hour urine protein
The answers are B and D. Signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include: proteinuria (>1+
dipstick urine protein or >300 mg/dL 24 hour urine protein, hypertension >140/90…two
reading at least 4-6 hours apart), swelling in face, eyes, extremities, headaches, vision
changes, etc.
, 3. You’re providing an in-service to a group of new labor and delivery nurse graduates
about the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Which statement by one of the group
participants demonstrates they understood how this condition develops?
A. “The basal arteries of the myometrium fail to widen to support blood flow to the
placenta.”
B. “The placenta experiences ischemia because the spiral arteries of the uterus fail to
reshape and increase in diameter.”
C. “The cardiovascular system of the mother fails to compensate for the increased blood
flow from the fetus and placental ischemia occurs.”
D. “If the mother experience uncontrolled hypertension and proteinuria, it compromises
blood flow to the placenta and leads to preeclampsia.”
The answer is B. This is the only correct statement. When preeclampsia occurs it is
because the spiral arteries of the uterus failed to widen in diameter due to poor
trophoblast invasion during the beginning of the pregnancy. Overtime, this causes
problems (usually after 20 weeks gestation) and the placenta experiences ischemia.
When the placenta becomes ischemic is releases substances into mom’s circulation that
are very toxic to her endothelial cells, which causes all the signs and symptoms seen in
preeclampsia. Severity varies in patients.
4. A 37-year-old female patient who is 36 weeks pregnant is diagnosed with mild
preeclampsia. The nurse will include what information in the patient’s education? Select
all that apply:
A. Report weight gain of >4 lbs in one week to physician
B. Incorporate foods like eggs, nuts, fish, meat in your diet
C. Follow a no salt diet
