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 expecting 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?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The couple is both carriers of PKU, so each of their future children has a 25% chance of being affected. The fact that their first child has PKU does not ensure that their second child will be unaffected. Therefore, it is important to provide accurate information to the couple about the likelihood of their second child having PKU. Option A is not appropriate because it suggests that the couple has control over the outcome. Option B is not appropriate because it does not provide information about the likelihood of the second child having PKU. Option D is not appropriate because gender does not determine the likelihood of having PKU.

A Father and Mother Are Carriers of Phenylketonuria (PKU)