A 19-year-old female who is 22 weeks pregnant complains of blurred vision and diffuse headache. What condition might she be experiencing?

The symptoms presented by the 19-year-old female, specifically blurred vision and diffuse headache, are indicative of a condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys. It typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and can lead to serious complications if not managed properly.

In this case, the blurred vision could be due to increased intracranial pressure or changes in blood flow, which are common symptoms associated with preeclampsia. The diffuse headache further supports this diagnosis, as headaches in preeclampsia can be a result of hypertension affecting cerebral circulation. Monitoring and managing preeclampsia is crucial because if it progresses to eclampsia, it can lead to seizures and pose serious risks to both the mother and the fetus.

While gestational hypertension also involves increased blood pressure, it does not present with the systemic complications or organ damage associated with preeclampsia. Anemia generally does not cause the specific symptoms of blurred vision and headache observed here, and cholecystitis typically presents with abdominal pain and digestive issues, making those options less likely given the symptoms described.