Which laboratory finding would most likely be indicative of severe preeclampsia?

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Prepare for the LEIK Family Nurse Practitioner Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Severe preeclampsia is characterized by specific laboratory findings that reflect significant systemic involvement. The presence of low platelet count, elevated liver enzymes, and proteinuria are all critical indicators of this condition, making the answer that encompasses all of them the most accurate.

A low platelet count, or thrombocytopenia, is commonly seen in severe preeclampsia due to the associated activation of the coagulation cascade and the consumption of platelets. This is an important indicator that can help in assessing the severity of the condition.

Elevated liver enzymes occur as a result of hepatic dysfunction or damage due to the severe vasospasm and perfusion issues caused by preeclampsia. Specifically, these elevations can indicate liver injury or the presence of HELLP syndrome, which is a severe form of preeclampsia that includes Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count.

Proteinuria is another hallmark finding in preeclampsia and is used to confirm the diagnosis. A significant amount of protein in the urine reflects altered glomerular filtration resulting from the disease process.

Considering all these factors, the presence of low platelet count, elevated liver enzymes, and proteinuria in a patient would most likely indicate severe pre

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