Final answer:
A 24-hour urine collection for a pregnant woman is primarily conducted to evaluate a pregnant woman's kidney function and identify any potential complications such as preeclampsia, infections, or gestational diabetes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A 24-hour urine collection is done for a pregnant woman primarily C. To evaluate kidney function and detect possible complications. Kidney function is pivotal during pregnancy due to the increased physiological demands placed on the kidneys to filter and excrete waste not only from the mother but also from the growing fetus.
This testing helps in assessing for conditions such as preeclampsia, infections, or kidney stones, which can pose risks to both the mother and fetus. It is also helpful in monitoring for conditions like gestational diabetes when testing for the presence and quantity of glucose in urine using Benedict's test or monitoring urinary volume and levels of various substances such as magnesium, sodium, uric acid, calcium, citrate, oxalate, and phosphate.
Routine urinalysis is often the first test if kidney problems are suspected, but a 24-hour urine collection provides a more comprehensive overview of kidney function and potential issues that could arise during pregnancy.