A patient with severe abdominal pain in her third trimester shows signs of elevated blood pressure. What condition may she be experiencing?

In the context of severe abdominal pain in the third trimester combined with elevated blood pressure, the condition the patient may be experiencing is preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related complication characterized by high blood pressure and often accompanied by signs of organ dysfunction, such as abdominal pain, which can indicate liver or kidney involvement.

This condition typically occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and can have serious consequences for both the mother and the baby if not identified and managed appropriately. The elevated blood pressure in preeclampsia can lead to reduced blood flow to the placenta, affecting fetal wellbeing. Additionally, the abdominal pain may result from liver distension or other systemic effects associated with the condition.

In contrast, while conditions like placental abruption or gestational hypertension may also present with abdominal pain and elevated blood pressure, they do not encompass the specific combination of severe abdominal pain related to organ involvement and elevated blood pressure as clearly as preeclampsia. Placenta previa, on the other hand, typically presents with painless vaginal bleeding rather than abdominal pain and does not inherently include hypertension as a diagnostic feature.