During a prenatal check-up, which symptom in a pregnant client warrants immediate concern?

Severe headaches accompanied by visual disturbances in a pregnant client warrant immediate concern because they may indicate a serious condition such as preeclampsia or hypertension. Preeclampsia can develop after the 20th week of pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, often the liver and kidneys. The presence of visual disturbances, such as blurring or seeing spots, can indicate increased intracranial pressure or vascular complications, which necessitates urgent evaluation and management.

In contrast, minor back pain, swelling of the ankles, and nausea in the morning are common symptoms experienced by many pregnant women and typically do not signal the immediate need for intervention. While these symptoms should still be monitored and discussed with a healthcare provider, they do not indicate the same level of potential risk to the mother and fetus as the severe headache with visual disturbances does.