A nurse is offering preconception counseling to a couple. What advice should be emphasized to support fertility?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Smoking cessation improves both male and female fertility. Smoking negatively impacts fertility by reducing sperm quality, disrupting hormone production, and affecting egg quality. By quitting smoking, both partners can improve their chances of conceiving. Summary: B: Caffeine intake can affect fertility, so moderate consumption is recommended. C: Stress management is important for fertility, as stress can disrupt hormonal balance. D: High protein diets alone do not guarantee improved egg quality; a balanced diet is essential for fertility.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Autosomal dominant. In an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, the trait is passed down from generation to generation, affecting both males and females equally. This is indicated by the presence of the trait in every generation of the pedigree chart. In contrast, autosomal recessive traits would skip generations and require both parents to be carriers. X-linked recessive traits mainly affect males and skip generations. X-linked dominant traits would be present in every generation but would affect more females than males.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because it demonstrates empathy, promotes open communication, and supports patient autonomy. By asking the patient to describe her feelings, the nurse can understand her emotional state, values, and beliefs, which are crucial in decision-making. This approach encourages shared decision-making and allows the nurse to provide individualized support. Choice A is incorrect because it is overly deterministic and does not consider individual circumstances. Choice B is incorrect as it simplifies the genetic risk calculation and overlooks the emotional aspect of decision-making. Choice C is incorrect as it may not respect the patient's autonomy and fails to address the emotional and ethical complexities involved in such a decision.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: in vitro fertilization (IVF). In IVF, ova are retrieved via laparoscopy, fertilized with sperm in a lab dish, and then the resulting embryo(s) are transferred back to the woman's uterus. This process allows for fertilization to occur outside the body. Incorrect choices: B: Tubal embryo transfer (TET) involves transferring embryos directly into the fallopian tubes, not the uterus. C: Therapeutic insemination (IUI) is the process of injecting sperm directly into the uterus, not involving the removal and fertilization of ova. D: Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) involves transferring both eggs and sperm into the fallopian tubes for fertilization to occur internally, not in a lab dish.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking. This recommendation is most appropriate because both factors significantly impact fertility. Being at a healthy weight improves hormonal balance and ovulation, while smoking can harm sperm quality and reduce fertility. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: A: Increasing caffeine intake may negatively affect fertility, as high levels of caffeine have been linked to reduced fertility in both men and women. C: Engaging in intensive daily exercise can actually disrupt menstrual cycles and ovulation, negatively impacting fertility. D: Focusing solely on timing of intercourse overlooks the importance of overall lifestyle factors that can affect fertility, such as diet, weight, and smoking.