For a patient with preeclampsia, what is the recommended inpatient setting?

For a patient with preeclampsia, what is the recommended inpatient setting?

• A. Admit to the General Ward
• B. Admit to the High-Risk Antepartum Unit
• C. Discharge home
• D. Transfer to NICU

Answer: (B)

Preeclampsia requires close, ongoing maternal and fetal monitoring with rapid access to interventions if the condition worsens. The high-risk antepartum unit is the setting equipped for this level of care, offering continuous fetal heart rate monitoring, frequent maternal assessments, ready IV access for labs and medications, magnesium sulfate for seizure prevention, and immediate availability of antihypertensives and obstetric delivery planning. This environment supports timely escalation to delivery if needed and provides specialized staff trained to manage obstetric emergencies. A general ward lacks the continuous monitoring and rapid-response capabilities, and sending someone home would be unsafe given the risk of progression to severe features or seizures. The NICU is for newborn care, not used to treat the mother, though the infant may need NICU care after delivery.

Preeclampsia requires close, ongoing maternal and fetal monitoring with rapid access to interventions if the condition worsens. The high-risk antepartum unit is the setting equipped for this level of care, offering continuous fetal heart rate monitoring, frequent maternal assessments, ready IV access for labs and medications, magnesium sulfate for seizure prevention, and immediate availability of antihypertensives and obstetric delivery planning. This environment supports timely escalation to delivery if needed and provides specialized staff trained to manage obstetric emergencies.

A general ward lacks the continuous monitoring and rapid-response capabilities, and sending someone home would be unsafe given the risk of progression to severe features or seizures. The NICU is for newborn care, not used to treat the mother, though the infant may need NICU care after delivery.