Inpatient Obstetric Nurse Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

Eclampsia is characterized by the occurrence of seizures or coma in a patient who is experiencing hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy. It typically follows preeclampsia, a condition where a woman develops high blood pressure and often protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. While preeclampsia can lead to serious complications, it is the progression to eclampsia that manifests as tonic-clonic seizures, which is a distinctive feature of this condition.

In the context of maternal-fetal health, recognizing eclampsia is crucial as it requires immediate medical intervention to prevent further complications for both the mother and the fetus. This condition not only presents a risk of severe maternal morbidity but also can result in fetal distress due to impaired placental perfusion during a seizure.

Other options, such as gestational hypertension and chronic hypertension, primarily involve elevated blood pressure without the seizure activity characteristic of eclampsia. Therefore, understanding these distinctions is vital for managing hypertensive disorders in pregnant patients effectively.