Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (NCC) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a group of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy?

1. Gestational hypertension

2. Preeclampsia

3. Chronic diabetes

4. Eclampsia

The correct answer is: Chronic diabetes

Chronic diabetes is not classified as a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. The hypertensive disorders in pregnancy include gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, all of which are directly related to elevated blood pressure and can affect both the mother and fetus during gestation. Gestational hypertension arises after 20 weeks of pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure without the presence of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia evolves from gestational hypertension when there is also proteinuria, indicating a potential risk for serious complications. Eclampsia is a severe progression of preeclampsia that involves seizures and poses critical risks to maternal and fetal health. Chronic diabetes, however, refers to a pre-existing condition where the mother's glucose levels are abnormally high prior to or independent of pregnancy, and it is not categorized under hypertensive disorders. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial for managing maternal health during pregnancy effectively.