Infertility Questions Related

Review Infertility Questions related questions and content

A patient asks for advice regarding whether to have children in the future after hearing she is a carrier for an autosomal-recessive disorder. What is the nurse's best response?

  • A. Encourage the patient to avoid having children as the risk of having a child with a disorder is 50%.
  • B. Explain that if the patient proceeds with a pregnancy, her risk of having a child with a disorder is 25% because she is only a carrier.
  • C. Encourage the patient to pursue pregnancy, informing her that she can always terminate a pregnancy if the fetus is found to be affected.
  • D. Ask the patient to describe her feelings about potentially having an affected infant.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because it demonstrates empathy, promotes open communication, and supports patient autonomy. By asking the patient to describe her feelings, the nurse can understand her emotional state, values, and beliefs, which are crucial in decision-making. This approach encourages shared decision-making and allows the nurse to provide individualized support.

Choice A is incorrect because it is overly deterministic and does not consider individual circumstances. Choice B is incorrect as it simplifies the genetic risk calculation and overlooks the emotional aspect of decision-making. Choice C is incorrect as it may not respect the patient's autonomy and fails to address the emotional and ethical complexities involved in such a decision.