Deck 24: Genetics and Aging

Question 1

A nurse researcher would consider which causes of normal aging a potential topic for study?

A)Defects in DNA repair
B)Alteration of cell proliferation
C)Progeria
D)Alteration of stem cell proliferation
E)Cell senescence

Answer 1

Defects in DNA repair
Alteration of cell proliferation
Alteration of stem cell proliferation
Cell senescence

Question 2

Which independent nursing interventions would help a client develop a plan to reduce his or her genetic risk for developing a disease?

A)Dietary modification information
B)Physical activity recommendations
C)Recommendations for environmental modifications such as smoking cessation
D)Pharmacological interventions such as dose modification
E)Rest and sleep recommendations

Answer 2

Dietary modification information
Physical activity recommendations
Recommendations for environmental modifications such as smoking cessation
Rest and sleep recommendations

Question 3

A nurse in the geriatric clinic says,"I thought genetics was used mostly in obstetrics and pediatrics." Which explanation would the nurse manager avoid?

A)"We use genetics in geriatrics to make predictions about the health of our clients' unborn grandchildren."
B)"Our clients can be very vulnerable to adverse effects from medication.Hopefully we can reduce some risk by looking at their genetic profiles."
C)"We hope to find that genetic testing guides our choice of some nonpharmacologic interventions."
D)"Genetic testing may help us identify which of our clients are most susceptible to the diseases associated with aging." 5.

Answer 3

"We use genetics in geriatrics to make predictions about the health of our clients' unborn grandchildren."

Question 4

A nurse has collected information on four generations of a family and is now constructing a pedigree.What is the purpose of the pedigree?

A)Constructing a pedigree forces the nurse to consider connections between people in the family.
B)The pedigree can be presented to third-party payers to increase reimbursement for genetic testing.
C)Construction of the pedigree identifies gaps in the family history.
D)The pedigree provides a visual interpretation of inheritance through families.

Question 5

A 9-month-old is determined to have a mutation in the LMNA gene.The nurse would discuss which possible effect of this mutation?

A)The child is likely to have profound mental retardation.
B)The child is likely to be sterile.
C)The child has a serious heart defect.
D)The child will experience premature aging.

Question 6

Genetic testing reveals that a client has alteration of CFH and ARMS2 genes,which increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Which health teaching should the nurse provide?

A)"You should make every effort to maintain a normal body weight."
B)"You should arrange your work and living quarters so that dimming vision will not be a safety issue."
C)"You should not smoke cigarettes."
D)"Your diet should be low in fat."
E)"You should take precautions to keep your stress level low."

Question 7

The nurse has evaluated a client's response to interventions that are based on the client's genetic profile.What should the nurse do next?

A)Consider publishing the results of these interventions.
B)Generalize the results to care of other clients with similar genetic profiles.
C)Make changes to the client's plan of care based on this evaluation.
D)Plan to reassess the client's condition at a specific point in time.

Question 8

The nurse,assessing a four-generation pedigree,believes the history to be "age-censored." What is the implication of that concern?

A)The family members being interviewed are unable to recall details from their past.
B)Some individuals in the history did not live long enough to develop certain genetic disorders.
C)As some people age,they do not wish to admit to illnesses they had as young adults.
D)The names of diseases and disorders have changed over time.

Question 9

The nurse manager of a geriatric clinic is instructing staff nurses about genomics and the care of their clients.How should the manager explain the concept of genomics?

A)Genomics is the study of how individual genes affect health.
B)The study of how all genes interact with one another and the environment is genomics.
C)Genomics is a set of genetic competencies that we must adopt.
D)When we identify how our clients respond to medications,we are evaluating their genomics.

Question 10

Which actions would help the nurse develop a relationship with specialty genetics services in his or her practice area?

A)Identify the providers that are in the area.
B)Make contact with the providers before services are required.
C)Ask to visit the clinic and set in on several client visits.
D)Contact the providers periodically to establish an ongoing working relationship.
E)Respond promptly and professionally to any contacts initiated by the specialty providers.

Question 11

A nurse would identify which clients as potentially benefiting from the services of a genetics specialist?

A)A client taking furosemide for congestive heart failure
B)A client who is considering tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment
C)A client whose atrial fibrillation is being treated with warfarin
D)A client who requires psychotropic medications.
E)A client who takes multiple vitamin supplements

Question 12

A client says,"I am so afraid I will develop Alzheimer disease like my dad." Which nursing responses are indicated?

A)"Alzheimer disease does tend to run in families."
B)"How old was your father when he was diagnosed?"
C)"Would you like information on the genetic testing that is available?"
D)"We believe that the development of Alzheimer disease is based on more than genetic transmission."
E)"We do have much better ways to diagnose and treat Alzheimer disease today."

Question 13

The nurse is developing outcome measurements to evaluate genetics-based care.Which outcomes should be included?

A)Is the client satisfied with care and services?
B)Did the client refer other clients to the clinic's services?
C)Does the client report that coping skills regarding genetic risks have improved?
D)Is the client's knowledge base about the specific illness,risk factors,and interventions improved?
E)Does the client report greater skill in decision making regarding the specific illness?

Question 14

The nurse is aware of the need to improve basic knowledge of genetics and genomics.What would be a logical way for this nurse to begin gaining knowledge?

A)Studying and recognizing Mendelian patterns of inheritance
B)Understanding the Human Genome Project results
C)Remembering specific indications for referral in response to genetic testing
D)Participating in the development of local initiatives to increase genetic testing