Chapter 10: Fetal Development and Genetics

A nurse is interviewing the family members of a pregnant client to obtain a genetic history. While asking questions, which information would be most important?

if couples are related to each other or have blood ties

A client at a preconception screening appointment indicates to the nurse that she is a carrier of muscular dystrophy, an X-linked recessive trait. Her partner does not have the trait. Which statement made by the client indicates an understanding of the implications?

"Each time I have a child, there is a 25% chance a female child will be a carrier."

A client who has one child with a genetic disorder tells the nurse, "I told my husband I was ready to have another baby and now he does not want to be intimate with me." What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client's husband?

Altered sexuality pattern related to fear

A client presents to the hospital experiencing a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) at 8 weeks' gestation, which is the third spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) in 2 years. The health care provider offers to send the products of conception for genetic testing. The client expresses not understanding the reason for this action. How does the nurse explain?

Many spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) occur due to chromosomal disorders and this testing may determine if this is the cause.

In developing a plan of care for a 5-year-old child with Down syndrome, what should be a priority for the nurse in meeting the expected growth and development outcomes for this child?

The child is enrolled in kindergarten.

A woman with both heart disease and osteoarthritis has come to the genetics clinic for genetic screening. What would the nurse know about these two diseases?

They are multifactorial.

The fluid-filled, inner membrane sac surrounding the fetus is which structure?

amnion

The nurse has asked the client for a family history. This nursing assessment is the first step in which aspect of genetic counseling?

establishing a pedigree

A woman is taking vaginal progesterone suppositories during her first trimester because her body does not produce enough of it naturally. She asks the nurse what function this hormone has in her pregnancy. What should the nurse explain is the primary function of progesterone?

maintains the endometrial lining of the uterus during pregnancy

A female client has the Huntington's disease gene. She and her husband want to have a child but are apprehensive about possibly transmitting the disease to their newborn child. They have strong views against abortion (elective termination of pregnancy). They would also like to have their "own" child and would consider adopting only as a last resort. Which action would be most appropriate in this situation?

opting for a preimplantation genetic diagnosis.