A young African American woman has been counseled to seek sickle cell screening and tells the nurse, "My grandfather had sickle cell, but I don't, so why should I be tested?" Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should educate the patient about the possibility of being a carrier of the sickle cell trait, which can be passed on to future generations. Many people with a family history of sickle cell may not have the disease themselves but could still carry the trait. It is important to know one's carrier status for family planning purposes and to know the risks associated with having children who may develop the condition or be carriers themselves.

A Young African American Woman Has Been Counseled to Seek