A couple asks the nurse about the optimal time for genetic ...

[Collmarie]

A couple asks the nurse about the optimal time for genetic counseling. They do not plan to have children for several years. When should the nurse recommend they begin genetic counseling?
 
  a. As soon as the woman suspects that she may be pregnant
  b. Whenever they are ready to start their family
  c. Now, if one of them has a family history of congenital heart disease
  d. Now, if they are members of a population at risk for certain diseases

Question 2

A couple has given birth to their first child, a boy with a recessive disorder. The genetic counselor tells them that the risk of recurrence is one in four. Which statement is a correct interpretation of this information?
 
  a. The risk factor remains the same for each pregnancy.
  b. The risk factor will change when they have a second child.
  c. Because the parents have one affected child, the next three children should be unaffected.
  d. Because the parents have one affected child, the next child is four times more likely to be affected.

[shaikhs]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Persons who seek genetic evaluation and counseling must first be aware if there is a genetic or potential problem in their families. Genetic testing should be done now if the couple is part of a population at risk. It is not feasible at this time to test for all genetic diseases. The optimal time for genetic counseling is before pregnancy occurs. During the pregnancy, genetic counseling may be indicated if a genetic disorder is suspected. Congenital heart disease is not a single-gene disorder.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Each pregnancy has the same risks for an affected child. Because an odds ratio reflects the risk, this does not change over time. The statement by the genetic counselor refers to a probability. This does not change over time. The statement Because the parents have one affected child, the next child is four times more likely to be affected does not reflect autosomal recessive inheritance.

[Collmarie]

TYSM

[bdobbins]

Excellent