American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the week cutoff during pregnancy for distinguishing between hypertension and pre-eclampsia?

1. 24 weeks

2. 30 weeks

3. 20 weeks

4. 16 weeks

The correct answer is: 20 weeks

In the context of pregnancy, hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that can be identified at any point during the pregnancy. However, for pre-eclampsia to be diagnosed, certain criteria must be met, including the development of hypertension after a specific gestational point. The cutoff for distinguishing hypertension from pre-eclampsia is crucially set at 20 weeks of gestation. After this point, if a pregnant individual develops hypertension along with proteinuria or other signs of end-organ dysfunction, it indicates the onset of pre-eclampsia. This is important in clinical practice because it allows for appropriate monitoring and management of the condition, which can have serious implications for both the mother and the fetus. Hypertension that occurs before 20 weeks is generally considered to be chronic hypertension rather than pre-eclampsia, which helps guide treatment and intervention strategies. Therefore, recognizing that 20 weeks is the key gestational age for distinguishing between these two conditions is essential for effective assessment and management during pregnancy.