Importance of Recognising Signs and Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia for Nursing Care in Primary Health Care: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Objective: To synthesise current evidence on the recognition of signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia and to examine how this recognition supports safe nursing care in primary health care. Methods: A narrative review with a structured literature search was undertaken. PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO and relevant peer-reviewed journal platforms were searched for publications from 2020 to 2025 using combinations of terms related to pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, nursing, primary health care, antenatal care, signs, symptoms, knowledge and education. Peer-reviewed clinical guidelines, reviews, observational studies and educational interventions directly relevant to the review question were prioritised. Results: Pre-eclampsia is a multisystem disorder diagnosed after 20 weeks of gestation by new-onset hypertension with proteinuria and/or maternal organ or uteroplacental dysfunction. Symptoms such as persistent severe headache, visual disturbance, epigastric or right upper quadrant pain and dyspnoea warrant urgent assessment, while oedema and rapid weight gain are nonspecific. Evidence indicates that nurses are central to accurate blood-pressure assessment, risk identification, symptom enquiry, health education, continuity of antenatal care and timely escalation or referral. Studies also identify clinically important gaps in nurses' knowledge and show that structured education can improve professional knowledge and pregnant women's awareness. Conclusion: Early recognition of pre-eclampsia depends on systematic clinical assessment rather than symptoms alone. In primary health care, nursing practice should combine accurate surveillance, evidence-based education, risk-directed prevention and prompt referral when warning features are identified. Educational materials may support this work, but their content and effectiveness require formal validation before they are treated as validated interventions.