Question 1

Which statement describes a key finding of the Human Genome Project?
A) Humans produce one protein per gene.
B) All human beings are 99.9% identical at the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) level.
C) The Human Genome Project has not yet been able to translate the accumulating raw research into anything medically practical.
D) Humans have more genes than other species.

Accepted Answer

The majority of the 0.1% genetic variations are found within and not among populations.Most human genes produce at least three proteins.The project's research has been very valuable in the identification of genes involved in disease and in the development of genetic testing.There are 20,500 genes in the human genome; scientists originally estimated more than 50,000 genes.Human genes are more efficient than the genes in other species,thereby increasing the human genetic complexity.

Question 2

Which condition or treatment reduces the risk of morbidity in women with the inherited factor V Leiden disorder?
A) Anticoagulant therapy
B) Pregnancy
C) Oral contraceptives
D) Hormone replacement therapy

Accepted Answer

Factor V Leiden is the most common inherited risk factor for primary or recurrent venous thromboembolism.It is an autosomal recessive disorder that increases an individual's risk for blood clots in the legs and pulmonary emboli.This risk significantly increases if the woman is pregnant or is taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.Prophylactic anticoagulation therapy decreases the risk of comorbidities.

Question 3

A maternal-newborn nurse is caring for a mother who just delivered a baby born with Down syndrome.Which nursing diagnosis would be the most essential in caring for the mother of this infant?
A) Disturbed body image
B) Interrupted family processes
C) Anxiety
D) Risk for injury

Accepted Answer

This mother will likely experience a disruption in the family process related to the birth of a baby with an inherited disorder.Therefore,the probable nursing diagnosis for this family is "Interrupted family processes." Women commonly experience "body image disturbances in the postpartum period"; however,this nursing diagnosis is unrelated to giving birth to a child with Down syndrome.The mother will likely have a mix of emotions that may include anxiety,guilt,and denial,but this nursing diagnosis is not the most essential for this family."Risk for injury" is not an applicable nursing diagnosis.

Question 4

A client is 5 months pregnant.On a routine ultrasound scan,the physician discovers that the fetus has a diaphragmatic hernia.The woman becomes distraught and asks the nurse what she should do.Which response would be most suitable?
A) Talk to the client, and refer her to a genetic counselor.
B) Suggest that the client travel to a fetal treatment center for intrauterine surgery.
C) Tell her that everything is going to be fine.
D) Sit with the client, and calmly suggest that she consider terminating this pregnancy.

Accepted Answer

Before the client makes any decisions,she should discuss this newly discovered information with a genetic counselor.Genetic counselors can help with the diagnosis and management of families affected by genetic conditions.The discussion of potential surgery should be pursuant to genetic counseling.Telling the woman that everything is going to be fine may give her false hope and is not accurate.All options should be discussed with the genetic counselor.Furthermore,the guiding principle for genetic counseling is nondirection,which respects the right of the individual or family who are being counseled to make autonomous decisions.

Question 5

Which statement regarding chromosomal abnormalities is most accurate?
A) Chromosomal abnormalities occur in approximately 10% of newborns.
B) Abnormalities of number are the leading cause of pregnancy loss.
C) Down syndrome is a result of an abnormal chromosomal structure.
D) Unbalanced translocation results in a mild abnormality that the child will outgrow.

Accepted Answer

Aneuploidy is an abnormality of number that is also the leading genetic cause of mental retardation.Chromosomal abnormalities occur in fewer than 1% of newborns.Down syndrome is the most common form of a trisomal abnormality,an abnormality of chromosome number (47 chromosomes).Unbalanced translocation is an abnormality of chromosomal structure that often has serious clinical effects.

Question 6

Which type of genetic tests in clinical practice are most often offered to clients with a family history of disease?
A) Single-gene disorders
B) Carrier screening
C) Predictive value testing
D) Predispositional testing

Accepted Answer

Most tests now offered are tests for single-gene disorders in clients with clinical symptoms or clients who have a family history of a genetic disease.Carrier screening is used to identify individuals who have a gene mutation for a genetic condition but do not display symptoms.Predictive value testing is used only to clarify the genetic status of asymptomatic family members.Predispositional testing differs from the other types of genetic screening in that a positive result does not indicate a 100% chance of developing the condition.

Question 7

Which factor is least likely to influence the decision to undergo genetic testing?
A) Anxiety and altered family relationships
B) Cost of testing or denial of insurance benefits
C) Imperfection of test results
D) Ethnic and socioeconomic disparity associated with genetic testing

Accepted Answer

Testing is not 100% accurate and has a high percentage of false-negative results.An individual may not take these results seriously and subsequently fail to have testing completed or to seek necessary follow-up consultation.Anxiety and altered family relationships are often the result of genetic testing.The results of genetic testing may be difficult to keep confidential,and family members may feel pressured to have testing performed.Decisions about genetic testing are shaped by socioeconomic status and the ability to pay for the testing.Some types of genetic testing are expensive and are not covered by insurance benefits.Caucasian middle-class families have greater access to genetic screening; therefore,this population is less at likely to decide against genetic testing.

Question 8

Nurses who elect to practice in the field of obstetrics must have a basic working knowledge of genetics.What is the correct term used to describe an individual's genetic makeup?
A) Genotype
B) Phenotype
C) Karyotype
D) Chromotype

Accepted Answer

The genotype comprises all the genes the individual can pass on to a future generation.The phenotype is the observable expression of an individual's genotype.The karyotype is a pictorial analysis of the number,form,and size of an individual's chromosomes.Genotype refers to an individual's genetic makeup.

Question 9

A father and mother are carriers of phenylketonuria (PKU).Their 2-year-old daughter has the condition.The couple tells the nurse that they are having a second baby.Because their daughter has PKU,they are certain that this baby will not be affected.Which response by the nurse is the most accurate?
A) "Good planning. You need to take advantage of the odds that are in your favor."
B) "I think you'd better first check with your physician."
C) "You are both carriers; therefore, each baby has a 25% chance of being affected."
D) "The ultrasound indicates a boy, and boys are not affected by PKU."

Accepted Answer

Each child conceived by this couple has a one-in-four chance of being affected with the PKU disorder.This couple still has an increased likelihood of having a child with PKU; having one child already with PKU does not guarantee that they will not have another.These parents need to discuss their options with their physician.However,an opportune time has presented itself for the couple to receive correct teaching about inherited genetic risks.No correlation exists between gender and inheritance of the disorder,because PKU is an autosomal recessive disorder.

Question 10

Which congenital malformations result from multifactorial inheritance? (Select all that apply).
A) Cleft lip
B) Congenital heart disease
C) Cri du chat syndrome
D) Anencephaly
E) Pyloric stenosis

Accepted Answer

Cleft lip,congenital heart disease,anencephaly,and pyloric stenosis are associated with multifactorial inheritance.Cri du chat syndrome is related to a chromosomal deletion.

Question 11

Cancer is now recognized as a genetic disorder that begins with one or more genetic mutations.Which type of cancer is specifically being investigated in this regard?
A) Lung cancer
B) Liver cancer
C) Colorectal cancer
D) Oral cancer

Accepted Answer

Colorectal cancer usually results from one or more predisposing genes and is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women.Although tobacco smoke is a known causative factor for lung cancer,an acquired mutation of an oncogene may also be present.Liver cancer is not being investigated in this regard.Oral cancer may be caused by an inherited mutation of one or more oncogenes.

Question 12

Which activities are included in the role of a nurse practicing in the field of genetics?(Select all that apply).
A) Assessing the responses of family members to a genetic disorder
B) Performing genetic testing, such as amniocentesis
C) Constructing a family pedigree of three or more generations
D) Advising a pregnant mother whose fetus has a genetic disorder to have an abortion
E) Offering parents information about genetics

Accepted Answer

Assessing the responses of family members,constructing a family pedigree,and offering parents information about genetics are activities that a genetics nurse would carry out in caring for a family undergoing genetic counseling.Physicians perform amniocentesis,but the nurse may assist in this procedure.Being aware of their own values and beliefs and refraining from attempting to influence the family are important responsibilities for nurses.The nurse must respect the right of the individual or family to make autonomous decisions.

Question 13

Which statement regarding genetic health care is most important to the nurse practicing in this specialty?
A) Genetic disorders equally affect people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, races, and ethnic groups.
B) Genetic health care is more concerned with populations than individuals.
C) Providing emotional support to the family during counseling is the most important of all nursing functions.
D) Taking genetic histories is the province of large universities and medical centers.

Accepted Answer

Perhaps the most important of all nursing functions is the ability to provide emotional support.Nurses should be prepared to help with various stress reactions from a couple facing the possibility of a genetic disorder.Although anyone may have a genetic disorder,certain disorders appear more often in certain ethnic and racial groups.Genetic health care is highly individualized because treatments are based on the phenotypic responses of the individual.Individual nurses at any facility can take a genetic history,although larger facilities may have better support services.

Question 14

The U.S.Department of Health and Human Services has designated Thanksgiving Day as National Family History Day.The U.S.Surgeon General encourages family members to discuss important family health information while sharing in holiday gatherings.Why is this initiative significant to nurses?
A) Few genetic tests are available that identify this information.
B) Only physicians should obtain this detailed information.
C) Clients cannot accurately complete these histories on their own.
D) Family history is the single most cost-effective source for genetic information.

Accepted Answer

Although more than 1000 genetic tests are available,the single most cost-effective piece of genetic information is the family history.Nurses are ideally suited to take the lead in ongoing efforts to recognize the significance of the family history as an important source of genetic information.A computerized tool called My Family Health Portrait is available free of charge (https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/home.action).Other tools designed to help the lay community in completing their family histories are available to the public.

Question 15

A couple has been counseled for genetic anomalies.They ask you,"What is karyotyping?" Which description is most accurate?
A) "Karyotyping will reveal if the baby's lungs are mature."
B) "Karyotyping will reveal if the baby will develop normally."
C) "Karyotyping will provide information about the gender of the baby and the number and structure of the chromosomes."
D) "Karyotyping will detect any physical deformities the baby has."

Accepted Answer

Karyotyping provides genetic information such as gender and chromosomal structure.The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S)ratio,not karyotyping,reveals lung maturity.Although karyotyping can detect genetic anomalies,the range of normal is nondescriptive,and not all such anomalies display obvious physical deformities.The term deformities is a nondescriptive word,and physical anomalies may be present that are not detected by genetic studies (e.g.,cardiac malformations).

Question 16

A new father has just been told that his infant has trisomy 18.Which identifying physical feature is unique to an infant with this genetic disorder?
A) Microcephaly and capillary hemangiomas
B) Epicanthal folds and a simian crease
C) Oblique palpebral fissures and Cri du chat syndrome
D) Rocker-bottom feet and clenched hands with overlapping fingers

Accepted Answer

Rocker-bottom feet and clenched hands with overlapping fingers are associated with trisomy 18.Microcephaly and capillary hemangiomas are associated with trisomy 13.Epicanthal folds and a simian crease are associated with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).Deletion of the short arm of chromosome number 5 is manifested by Cri du chat syndrome.

Question 17

Which statement most accurately describes dominant genetic disorders?
A) With a dominant disorder, the likelihood of the second child also having the condition is 100%.
B) An autosomal recessive disease carries a one-in-eight risk of the second child also having the disorder.
C) Disorders involving maternal ingestion of drugs carry a one-in-four chance of being repeated in the second child.
D) The risk factor remains the same no matter how many affected children are already in the family.

Accepted Answer

Each pregnancy is an independent event.The risk factor (e.g.,one-in-two,one-in-four)remains the same for each child,no matter how many children are born to the family.In a dominant disorder,the likelihood of recurrence in subsequent children is 50% (i.e.,one-in-two).An autosomal recessive disease carries a one-in-four chance of recurrence.In disorders involving maternal ingestion of drugs,subsequent children would be at risk only if the mother continued to take the drugs; the rate of risk would be difficult to calculate.

Question 18

A 32-year-old woman is pregnant for the third time.One child was born with cystic fibrosis,and the other child is healthy.The client and her husband wonder what chance this child has of having cystic fibrosis.This type of testing is most commonly known as what?
A) Occurrence risk
B) Recurrence risk
C) Predictive testing
D) Predisposition testing

Accepted Answer

The couple already has a child with a genetic disease; therefore,this couple will be given a recurrence risk test.If a couple has not yet had a child but is known to be at risk for having a child with a genetic disease,then an occurrence risk test is administered.Predictive testing clarifies the genetic status of an asymptomatic family member.Predisposition testing differs from presymptomatic testing in that a positive result does not indicate 100% risk of a condition developing.

Question 19

A nurse is assessing the knowledge of new parents of a child born with Klinefelter syndrome.Which statement accurately describes this genetic disorder?
A) Klinefelter syndrome is a sex chromosome abnormality.
B) It affects only female children.
C) The disorder is expressed as trisomy XYY.
D) The child with this disorder will grow to be infertile.

Accepted Answer

Klinefelter syndrome,also known as trisomy XXY,is a sex chromosomal deviation that is expressed in males.Turner syndrome (monosomy X)is displayed in females.Most males with Klinefelter syndrome are tall,may be infertile,and are slow to learn; however,those who have mosaic Klinefelter syndrome may be fertile as adults.

Question 20

A client who is gravida 2 and 16 weeks of gestation comes in for her prenatal appointment.Her 2-year-old daughter is with her and is wearing a sleeveless top.While interacting with her daughter,you note axillary freckling and several café-au-lait spots (>2 cm).In reviewing her chart,the nurse should assess for documentation of which genetic disease?
A) Tay-Sachs disease
B) Galactosemia
C) Neurofibromatosis (NF)
D) PKU

Accepted Answer

Clinical manifestations of NF may include axillary freckling and café-au-lait spots.Tay-Sachs disease is an incurable lipid-storage disorder and is not associated with café-au-lait spots.Galactosemia is an inborn error of metabolism and is also not associated with café-au-lait spots.PKU is not associated with café-au-lait spots.A child with PKU would have difficulty manufacturing the liver enzyme phenylalanine.

Quiz 3: Nursing and Genomics

Which statement describes a key finding of the Human Genome Project?

Which condition or treatment reduces the risk of morbidity in women with the inherited factor V Leiden disorder?

A maternal-newborn nurse is caring for a mother who just delivered a baby born with Down syndrome.Which nursing diagnosis would be the most essential in caring for the mother of this infant?

A client is 5 months pregnant.On a routine ultrasound scan,the physician discovers that the fetus has a diaphragmatic hernia.The woman becomes distraught and asks the nurse what she should do.Which response would be most suitable?

Which statement regarding chromosomal abnormalities is most accurate?

Which type of genetic tests in clinical practice are most often offered to clients with a family history of disease?

Which factor is least likely to influence the decision to undergo genetic testing?

Nurses who elect to practice in the field of obstetrics must have a basic working knowledge of genetics.What is the correct term used to describe an individual's genetic makeup?

A father and mother are carriers of phenylketonuria (PKU) .Their 2-year-old daughter has the condition.The couple tells the nurse that they are having a second baby.Because their daughter has PKU,they are certain that this baby will not be affected.Which response by the nurse is the most accurate?

Which congenital malformations result from multifactorial inheritance? (Select all that apply) .

Cancer is now recognized as a genetic disorder that begins with one or more genetic mutations.Which type of cancer is specifically being investigated in this regard?

Which activities are included in the role of a nurse practicing in the field of genetics?(Select all that apply) .

Which statement regarding genetic health care is most important to the nurse practicing in this specialty?

The U.S.Department of Health and Human Services has designated Thanksgiving Day as National Family History Day.The U.S.Surgeon General encourages family members to discuss important family health information while sharing in holiday gatherings.Why is this initiative significant to nurses?

A couple has been counseled for genetic anomalies.They ask you,"What is karyotyping?" Which description is most accurate?

A new father has just been told that his infant has trisomy 18.Which identifying physical feature is unique to an infant with this genetic disorder?

Which statement most accurately describes dominant genetic disorders?

A 32-year-old woman is pregnant for the third time.One child was born with cystic fibrosis,and the other child is healthy.The client and her husband wonder what chance this child has of having cystic fibrosis.This type of testing is most commonly known as what?

A nurse is assessing the knowledge of new parents of a child born with Klinefelter syndrome.Which statement accurately describes this genetic disorder?