A nurse is counseling a client who is considering having genetic testing completed to determine whether she is a carrier of the gene linked to Huntington's disease.Which of the following would be the first step the nurse would take when assessing this client?
A) Assess vital signs
B) Assess family history of this disorder
C) Assess client's past medical history
D) Assess current medications

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Taking a family history is a useful place to begin when considering a genetic connection prior to the onset of testing.The best way to identify whether there is a mutation in a family where a hereditary disease is suspected is to test the person who displays the most evidence of being a mutation carrier.This would take precedent over assessing vital signs,current medications,and past medical history.

A Nurse Is Counseling a Client Who Is Considering Having