A 27 year old is presenting with signs of hypertension and swelling in the final trimester of pregnancy. What is a notable symptom to watch for?

In the context of a pregnant woman presenting with symptoms of hypertension and swelling, a severe headache is particularly important to monitor. This is because, in the later stages of pregnancy, elevated blood pressure can lead to serious conditions such as preeclampsia or eclampsia, which often manifest with severe headaches. These headaches are typically described as being different from the patient’s usual headaches in terms of intensity and character.

Monitoring for severe headache is crucial because it can indicate rising intracranial pressure or other complications associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. In such cases, prompt evaluation and intervention are necessary to protect both maternal and fetal health.

While the other symptoms listed may be relevant in pregnancy, they do not directly point to the same level of concern as a severe headache does in the context of hypertension. Increased fetal movement doesn't typically correlate with hypertension issues, nausea and vomiting can occur for various reasons unrelated to high blood pressure, and decreased appetite can arise for multiple reasons in pregnancy as well without indicating an acute threat. Thus, the focus on severe headache is a key aspect in managing potentially severe complications related to hypertension in pregnancy.