In a pregnant patient with hypertension and edema, which finding would support the diagnosis of preeclampsia?

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Preeclampsia is defined by new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation plus evidence of organ involvement, most classically protein leaking into the urine from placental-driven endothelial dysfunction. The key here is proteinuria, because it shows the kidneys are affected and confirms the systemic impact beyond blood pressure and edema alone. Edema is common in normal pregnancy and isn’t specific, so it doesn’t by itself establish preeclampsia.

Proteinuria provides objective evidence of the disease process: excretion of a significant amount of protein in the urine (typically at least 300 mg in 24 hours, or a positive protein test). The other findings don’t fit the typical profile—hyperglycemia points toward diabetes, hypoalbuminemia can occur with various conditions but isn’t diagnostic of preeclampsia by itself, and hyperkalemia is not a characteristic feature of preeclampsia and would suggest other issues like renal impairment.