During the initial prenatal visit, the nurse completes a history for a 25-year-old G1PO client.
During the interview, the client states her mother has been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease.
Which of the following is a correct statement by the nurse about this autosomal dominant disorder?
“Huntington’s disease is diagnosed in childhood.”
“If you are a carrier, there is a 25% chance your child will inherit the gene.”
“Only one copy of the variant gene is needed for expression of the disease.”
“You only need to be referred to a genetic counselor if you are a carrier.”
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is C. Only one copy of the variant gene is needed for expression of the disease.
Choice A rationale:
Huntington's disease (HD) is not typically diagnosed in childhood. While symptoms can sometimes manifest in adolescence or early adulthood, the average age of onset is between 30 and 50 years old.
Early-onset HD, which occurs before the age of 20, is much rarer and accounts for only about 5-10% of cases.
It's crucial to convey accurate information about the typical age of onset to avoid unnecessary anxiety and unwarranted testing in children.
Choice B rationale:
The statement "If you are a carrier, there is a 25% chance your child will inherit the gene" is not entirely accurate for autosomal dominant disorders like HD.
If a parent has HD, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutated gene, not 25%. This is because the parent with HD has one mutated copy of the gene and one normal copy.
During conception, each child randomly receives one copy of the gene from each parent. Therefore, there's a 50% chance the child will receive the mutated copy and a 50% chance they'll receive the normal copy.
Choice D rationale:
Referral to a genetic counselor is essential for all individuals with a family history of HD, regardless of their carrier status.
Genetic counselors can provide comprehensive information about HD, including: Inheritance patterns
Risk assessment
Testing options
Reproductive options
Support resources
Psychosocial counseling
They can assist individuals in making informed decisions about testing, family planning, and management of the condition.
Choice C is the correct answer because:
HD is indeed an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning that only one copy of the mutated gene is needed for an individual to develop the disease.
This contrasts with autosomal recessive disorders, which require two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) for the disease to manifest.
Understanding the pattern of inheritance is crucial for accurate risk assessment and genetic counseling.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Fetal heart rate of 90 beats per minute is a sign of fetal bradycardia, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It indicates that the fetus is not getting enough oxygen, and it can lead to fetal distress, brain damage, or even death.
Oxytocin can cause uterine hyperstimulation, which can reduce blood flow to the placenta and cause fetal bradycardia. Therefore, if the nurse observes a fetal heart rate of 90 beats per minute, it is essential to discontinue the oxytocin infusion immediately and notify the healthcare provider.
Choice B rationale:
Increased urinary output is not a direct contraindication to oxytocin administration. In fact, oxytocin can sometimes cause a decrease in urinary output due to its antidiuretic effects.
While a significant increase in urinary output could be a sign of fluid overload, it would not necessarily indicate that the oxytocin infusion needs to be discontinued. The nurse would need to assess the patient's overall fluid status and other clinical indicators to make this determination.
Choice C rationale:
Three contractions occurring within a 10-minute period is considered a normal contraction pattern during labor. It is not a sign of uterine hyperstimulation or fetal distress.
In fact, the goal of oxytocin administration is to achieve regular contractions that are occurring every 2-3 minutes and lasting 40-60 seconds. Therefore, this finding would not indicate that the oxytocin infusion needs to be discontinued.
Choice D rationale:
Adequate resting tone of the uterus palpated between contractions is a normal finding during labor. It indicates that the uterus is contracting effectively and is not at risk for uterine atony (lack of muscle tone).
This finding would not be a reason to discontinue the oxytocin infusion.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Urine output (UO) does not completely stop during the oliguric phase of acute renal failure. While it is significantly reduced, some urine production still occurs. Complete cessation of urine output is known as anuria, which is a more severe condition and a medical emergency.
Anuria may occur in the most severe cases of acute renal failure, but it is not the defining characteristic of the oliguric phase.
It's crucial to distinguish between oliguria and anuria, as their management approaches differ significantly.
Choice B rationale:
During the oliguric phase of acute renal failure, urine output (UO) is less than 400 mL/24 hours. This is the defining characteristic of this phase.
The decrease in urine output is due to damage to the kidneys' filtering units, known as nephrons. As a result, the kidneys are unable to filter waste products and excess fluids effectively from the blood, leading to their accumulation in the body.
This reduced urine output can lead to various complications, including fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, and a buildup of waste products in the blood (uremia).
Choice C rationale:
Urine output (UO) is always measured during the oliguric phase of acute renal failure. It is a vital clinical indicator to monitor the severity of kidney dysfunction and guide treatment decisions.
Accurate measurement of urine output is essential for assessing fluid balance, kidney function, and the effectiveness of treatment interventions.
Choice D rationale:
Urine output (UO) is not greater than 500 mL/24 hours during the oliguric phase of acute renal failure. A urine output greater than 500 mL/24 hours would indicate a non-oliguric phase of acute renal failure or a potential recovery phase.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.