In a patient with severe preeclampsia, what should be the next step in management?

In a patient with severe preeclampsia, immediate management focuses on ensuring the safety of both the mother and the fetus, which often necessitates delivery as the definitive treatment. Severe preeclampsia is characterized by significant hypertension and the presence of severe features such as vision changes, headache, or elevated liver enzymes, indicating a heightened risk for complications such as eclampsia, placental abruption, and liver or renal failure.

Given the severity of the condition, admitting the patient to the hospital for monitoring and preparing for delivery is essential. This approach allows healthcare providers to closely monitor maternal and fetal status, manage symptoms, and plan for timely delivery, which is typically recommended as soon as feasible, often at or beyond 34 weeks of gestation depending on clinical circumstances and fetal maturity.

Other options, such as home management with fetal surveillance or bed rest, would not be appropriate for severe preeclampsia due to the risks involved and the need for urgent interventions that can only be provided in a hospital setting.