At her first prenatal visit, a woman relates that her maternal aunt has cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive illness. Which of the following comments is appropriate for the nurse to make at this time?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A) We can check to see whether or not you are a carrier for cystic fibrosis. This is the appropriate response because knowing the family history of an autosomal recessive genetic disorder like cystic fibrosis is crucial for genetic counseling. By checking if the woman is a carrier, it can help in understanding the risk of passing the disease on to her child. Option B) It is unnecessary for you to worry since your aunt is not a direct relation is incorrect as cystic fibrosis can still be a concern due to its genetic inheritance pattern. Option C) You should have an amniocentesis to see whether or not your child has the disease is incorrect as this invasive procedure is not typically done based solely on family history without confirmed carrier status. Option D) Please ask your mother whether she has ever had any symptoms of cystic fibrosis is incorrect as it does not address the need for genetic testing to determine carrier status. Educational Context: Understanding genetic inheritance patterns and the importance of genetic counseling in families with a history of genetic disorders is crucial in prenatal care. Educating patients about their genetic risks empowers them to make informed decisions about family planning and healthcare for themselves and their children.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B) Encourage the doctor to send her for genetic counseling. This option is the most appropriate because the family pedigree shows multiple individuals with serious illnesses, indicating a potential genetic predisposition within the family. Genetic counseling can help the client understand the implications of her family history on her pregnancy and future pregnancies. It can also provide information on potential genetic testing options and interventions to mitigate risks. Option A) Advise the woman that she should have an amniocentesis is incorrect because an amniocentesis is typically done to assess chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, not to address potential genetic predispositions in the family. Option C) Ask the woman if she knew any of the relatives who died is incorrect as it does not address the need for professional genetic counseling to interpret the family pedigree accurately. Option D) Inform the woman that her pedigree appears normal is incorrect as the presence of multiple darkened symbols indicating serious illnesses suggests a potential genetic issue that needs further evaluation. In an educational context, understanding how to interpret family pedigrees and recognizing the importance of genetic counseling in cases of potential genetic risks is crucial for nurses caring for clients with infertility or pregnancy complications. It highlights the importance of a comprehensive assessment and referral to appropriate specialists to provide optimal care and support to clients.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, option C is the correct choice. The nurse must consider involving the proband's first-degree relatives in the discussion of the 3-generation pedigree because they share close genetic relationships with the proband and may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer due to potential genetic predisposition. This information is crucial for identifying patterns of inheritance and assessing the overall risk within the family. Option A is incorrect because a complete genetic analysis may not be necessary at this stage and could be an invasive and unnecessary procedure without first involving the proband's family members. Option B is incorrect as the presence of breast cancer in the proband does not necessarily mean they are the first family member affected; the pedigree analysis is essential to determine this. Option D is incorrect as it makes a generalized assumption about the proband's sisters without considering individual genetic factors and risk assessments. Educationally, this question highlights the importance of understanding genetic inheritance patterns in familial diseases like breast cancer. Nurses need to recognize the significance of involving family members in discussions about genetic risks to provide comprehensive and personalized care. This knowledge is vital in addressing the complex nature of genetic conditions and guiding appropriate interventions and screening strategies.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D) All female children will be carriers for color blindness. This is because color blindness is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder, meaning the gene responsible is located on the X chromosome. Since the father has green color blindness (an X-linked recessive disorder) and the mother does not carry the affected gene, all male children will inherit the affected X chromosome from the father and will be color blind. However, all female children will inherit one X chromosome from the mother (without the affected gene) and one X chromosome from the father (with the affected gene), making them carriers of the color blindness gene. Option A is incorrect because not all male children will be color blind; they will be affected but not all male offspring will be color blind. Option B is incorrect because females require two copies of the X-linked recessive gene to be color blind, so all female children will not be color blind. Option C is incorrect as all male children will not be carriers for color blindness since they will inherit the affected gene, not just be carriers. This scenario highlights the importance of understanding the inheritance patterns of genetic disorders, particularly X-linked recessive disorders, in providing appropriate genetic counseling to individuals and couples facing infertility or planning to have children. Educating healthcare providers and patients about these genetic principles is crucial in making informed decisions regarding reproductive health.