Deck 3: Family Context of Clinical Genetics

Question 1

Genetic testing has revealed that a family has a strong predisposition to a disease that occurs late in life.What ethical dilemmas does the nurse recognize as resulting from this information?

A)Should the children be screened for this disease?
B)Should the children be allowed to make their own decision about testing?
C)Should the testing be considered reliable?
D)Should other adult members of the family be informed?
E)Should testing be repeated?

Answer 1

Should the children be screened for this disease?
Should the children be allowed to make their own decision about testing?
Should other adult members of the family be informed?

Question 2

While instructing a client on filling in a family history,the nurse says,"Don't include anyone who is not a blood relative in your history.They aren't family." What unintended message is the nurse sending?

A)Only people who are related by blood have an influence on a client's genetics.
B)People who are not related by blood have no influence on the client's health.
C)The client's nonblood relatives are not family.
D)Nonblood relatives are not important.

Answer 2

The client's nonblood relatives are not family.

Question 3

What is the nurse's primary role on the interdisciplinary health care team treating clients with genetic disorders?

A)Ordering genetic testing
B)Analyzing genetic testing results
C)Assuring open and accurate communication among team members
D)Making certain financial resources are used appropriately

Answer 3

Assuring open and accurate communication among team members

Question 4

The husband of a woman with early-onset Alzheimer disease asks the nurse about using a family health history website to create a pedigree.Which information should the nurse consider when formulating a reply?

A)Research has shown such websites to be a valuable tool for all ages.
B)Such websites are expensive and difficult to use.
C)Research has shown health promotion benefits in pediatric clients.
D)The biggest benefit of using this tool is the time saving for the nurse who will not have to ask family history questions.

Question 5

The medical geneticist often describes treatment options and prognosis in medical terms when speaking to families.How should the nurse advocate for these families?

A)When the geneticist starts using medical terminology,interrupt with,"Please describe this so the family can understand."
B)Write down what the geneticist says so the clients will have a copy.
C)Stay with the family after the geneticist leaves to interpret.
D)Prepare the family with a list of common medical terms used to explain the disorder.

Question 6

A child has been diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome.When the parents are given the diagnosis,which typical initial response does the nurse anticipate?

A)"I want to be tested to see if I have it as well."
B)"I knew something was not right."
C)"I wish we had not had children."
D)"What could we have done to prevent it?"

Question 7

A client's family history reveals multiple cases of a particular disease.The presence of the disease in which relatives is most significant to the health of the client?

A)Grandmother
B)Father
C)Niece's child
D)Daughter
E)Sister

Question 8

A family has been shown to carry genes for a rare condition.Researchers would like to use this family's test results as the basis for further study,but the family has serious reservations about participating.How should the researchers proceed?

A)Use the family's consent for the original testing as consent for the study.
B)Offer the family members understandable information about their role in this research.
C)Offer the family members financial reimbursement for being study participants.
D)Discuss how the findings of the research will be applied.
E)Accept that this family's reservations are probably insurmountable.

Question 9

Newborn screening reveals that a baby is positive for the gene causing a genetic disorder.How should the nurse help the parents interpret this finding?

A)"The finding is probably incorrect."
B)"There are many good treatments for this disease today."
C)"Screening only indicates that more specific testing should be done."
D)"These things come back positive all the time,so don't worry."

Question 10

The mother of a child with a severe genetic disorder experiences chronic sorrow.The nurse providing care for this family would be especially alert to manifestations of sorrow at which times?

A)During clinic visits
B)The child's birthday
C)Holidays
D)Continuously
E)Events such as high school graduations or weddings

Question 11

The nurse has identified lack of normalcy in a family with a child who has a mild but discernible genetic defect.Which nursing interventions should the nurse plan?

A)Advocating for the client's insurance to pay for additional services
B)Educating the teachers at the child's school about the disorder and treatments
C)Helping to coordinate care among the three clinics the child goes to each month
D)Alerting the family against involving the child in activities in which failure is possible
E)Encouraging the family to avoid public gatherings

Question 12

A client has been diagnosed with a devastating genetic illness.The family is in transition from well family to family with a member who is very ill.Which nursing diagnoses are likely to be applicable to this family?

A)Anticipatory grief
B)Deficient knowledge
C)Impaired verbal communication
D)Compromised family coping
E)Interrupted family processes

Question 13

The nurse is preparing to create a pedigree.How should the nurse instruct the client about filling out a standard family history form?

A)"Complete this information form about your family."
B)"Complete this form about your children and husband."
C)"Complete this form about your family living at home."
D)"Complete this form on as many of your blood relatives as you can."

Question 14

A nurse who is new to maternal/child nursing says,"I am shocked at how many of our clients do not allow newborn screening of their infants." How should the nurse manager reply?

A)"Some cultural groups are fearful of what they see as government interference with their children and family."
B)"I don't know why we even ask.We should just run the screens."
C)"We all need to do a better job at educating our clients about the benefits of this screening."
D)"Some cultural groups believe screening violates their religious principles."
E)"Despite legislation,some families are afraid their health insurance carriers will be given the information."