Final answer:
Hypertension in pregnancy when accompanied by proteinuria may represent preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of kidney damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypertension in pregnancy, if accompanied by proteinuria, may often represent preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the kidneys, as indicated by proteinuria. Protein in the urine can indicate kidney damage as the organs struggle to filter waste effectively. While proteinuria can be a normal finding in some non-pathological conditions such as vigorous exercise or orthostatic changes, it is of concern when associated with hypertension in pregnancy. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is option b) Preeclampsia.