Maria is 8 months pregnant. When she goes to her doctor for her checkup, the nurse takes her blood pressure. It is unusually high: 200/100 mm Hg. The nurse also collects a urine sample and detects...

Maria is 8 months pregnant. When she goes to her doctor for her checkup, the nurse takes her blood pressure. It is unusually high: 200/100 mm Hg. The nurse also collects a urine sample and detects elevated levels of protein in her urine. 1. What can account for the protein in her urine? a. Protein is a normal component of urine and is no cause for concern. b. Excessive amounts of plasma proteins are filtered at the renal corpuscle.

c. Tubular cells produce additional protein in response to the elevated blood pressure. d. The tubular cells have exocytosed protein into the tubular fluid.