A 37-year-old pregnant woman shows protein in her urine and recent weight gain. What condition should be suspected?

The presence of protein in the urine, along with recent weight gain in a pregnant woman, strongly suggests pregnancy-induced hypertension, notably preeclampsia. This condition occurs after the 20th week of gestation and is characterized by hypertension and the presence of protein in the urine, which indicates that the kidneys may be affected.

Preeclampsia typically manifests with symptoms such as edema and elevated blood pressure, along with proteinuria. The recent weight gain can be attributed to fluid retention, which is often seen in preeclampsia due to the body's response to increased vascular pressure and changes in renal function.

It is essential to recognize preeclampsia early because it can progress to more severe conditions, such as eclampsia or HELLP syndrome. While other options may involve hypertension or complications related to pregnancy, they do not encompass the combination of proteinuria and recent weight gain as clinical indicators specifically associated with preeclampsia. By identifying preeclampsia, timely intervention can be initiated to improve outcomes for both the mother and fetus.