A 36-week pregnant patient presents with hypertension and a urinalysis shows 3+ protein. What is the best treatment option for her condition?

In a case where a pregnant patient presents with hypertension and significant proteinuria, the symptoms suggest the possibility of preeclampsia, a pregnancy-specific condition characterized by high blood pressure and organ dysfunction, often indicated by the presence of protein in the urine.

The use of magnesium sulfate is the preferred treatment in such situations primarily for its neuroprotective effects. It is especially important in preventing seizures, a serious complication that can arise from preeclampsia or its more severe variant, eclampsia. In this context, magnesium sulfate is typically administered to manage the risk of seizures even before hyper-reflexivity or other signs of impending eclampsia become evident.

Additionally, controlling blood pressure is crucial in managing preeclampsia; however, magnesium sulfate primarily addresses the concern of seizures rather than hypertension directly. Other antihypertensive agents may also be used in conjunction to manage blood pressure, but magnesium sulfate remains the key therapeutic intervention for its protective role against seizures.

This management approach emphasizes the critical nature of preventing complications associated with preeclampsia while considering the unique physiological context of pregnancy and fetal safety. Other medications listed, such as nifedipine, may be used for blood pressure control, but magnesium sulfate's role