Author Question: A patient planning to be married tells the nurse that she has a strong family history of Huntington ... (Read 93 times)

luvbio · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient planning to be married tells the nurse that she has a strong family history of Huntington chorea but does not plan to let her fianc know. How should the nurse respond to this patient?

1. Is there any reason why you do not want your fianc to know about the genetic illness?
2. It is probably best that he is not aware of the disease.
3. Are you afraid that he will not want to marry you if he knows?
4. There are worse disease processes than Huntington chorea.

Question 2

At the conclusion of genetic testing, a patient learns that he has a predisposition for developing cardiovascular disease at a young age. What should the nurse instruct the patient regarding this information?

1. This information can help guide you to make lifestyle changes to reduce the chance of developing cardiovascular disease.
2. At least you know now that you will need cardiac bypass surgery.
3. Since you will most likely develop the disease early in life, enjoy your life as much as possible now.
4. I would not place too much emphasis on these test results because most of the time they are inconclusive.

zenzy · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

The nurse needs to support the patient in ethical and social issues. The best response from the nurse would be to ask the patient if there is any reason why she does not want her fianc to be aware of the genetic illness. Agreeing that the fianc should not be made aware would be an inappropriate response for the nurse to make. Suggesting that the fianc would not want to marry the patient if he was aware of the genetic disease is also an inappropriate response for the nurse to make. The nurse should not make a judgment statement by saying that there are worse disease processes than Huntington chorea.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1

One benefit of genetic testing is that it allows for preventive measures and lifestyle adaptations. The nurse should instruct the patient on how this information can serve as a guide to make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The nurse has no way of knowing whether the patient is going to need cardiac bypass surgery or not. The nurse should not encourage the patient to enjoy life as much as possible now since this might lead to high-risk behaviors. The nurse should not minimize the importance of the genetic testing results.