Which lab finding would best indicate proteinuria as a sign of preeclampsia to monitor at home?

• A. Proteinuria
• B. Hypertension
• C. Low-grade fever
• D. Generalized edema

Answer: (A)

Protein in the urine is the key lab finding that signals preeclampsia when high blood pressure is present after mid-pregnancy. The defining feature of preeclampsia is new-onset hypertension plus proteinuria or other organ involvement; tracking protein in the urine helps confirm kidney involvement and potential disease progression. At home, a simple urine dipstick can screen for protein leakage, so noticing positive protein on the dipstick indicates the need for medical follow-up. Hypertension is important to monitor, but it’s a clinical measurement, not a lab finding. Fever isn’t related to preeclampsia, and edema is common in pregnancy and not specific enough to indicate proteinuria. So, detecting protein in the urine directly reflects the kidney-related sign of preeclampsia that patients can monitor at home.