Ricci, Kyle & Carman: Maternity and Pediatric
Nursing, Second Edition; PrepU: Chapter 10:
Fetal Development and Genetics Questions And
Answers
... [Show More] 2022-2023 Updated A+
What are the two fetal membranes? - ANS-chorion and amnion
The chorion and amnion are the two fetal membranes. The ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm are layers
in the developing blastocyst.
A nurse is conducting an in-service program for a group of perinatal nurses. After teaching the group about
autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance patterns, the nurse determines that the group needs
additional teaching when they identify which condition as an example of an autosomal dominant disorder? -
ANS-Tay-Sachs disease
Neurofibromatosis is an example of an autosomal dominant disorder. Achondroplasia is an example of an
autosomal dominant disorder. Huntington disease is an example of an autosomal dominant disorder. TaySachs disease is an example of an autosomal recessive disorder.
A pregnant woman undergoing amniocentesis asks her nurse why the baby needs this fluid. What would be
an accurate response from the nurse? - ANS-"Amniotic fluid cushions your baby to prevent injury."
The amniotic fluid, kept inside the amnion, cushions the fetus against injury, regulates temperature, and
allows the fetus to move freely inside it, which allows normal musculoskeletal development of the fetus. The
woman's blood supplies food to—and carries wastes away from—the fetus. The placenta supplies the
developing organism with food and oxygen; then the umbilical cord connects the fetal blood vessels
contained in the villi of the placenta with those found within the fetal body.
A couple has just learned that their son will be born with Down syndrome. The nurse shows a lack of
understanding when making which statement? - ANS-"I will alert your entire family about this so you don't
have to."
It is necessary to maintain confidentiality at all times, which prevents health care providers from alerting
family members about any inherited characteristic unless the family member has given consent for the
information to be revealed.
A woman at 15 weeks' gestation works at a daycare center thinks she may have just been exposed to
rubella at work. The client asks how this may affect her fetus. What is the best response the nurse can
give? - ANS-"By the end of the eighth week all of the organ systems and major structures are present, so
exposure to any teratogen can lead to birth defects. More assessments are needed."
All organ systems are complete at 8 weeks gestation. During this time of organogenesis the growing
structure is most vulnerable to invasion by teratogens.
When providing education on pre-conceptual considerations to a female client and her spouse, the nurse
knows that teratogens during the embryonic stage pose the greatest risk to the fetus. The nurse describes
this stage as occurring during which time frame? - ANS-weeks 2 to 8
The embryonic stage produces the greatest risk of damaging effects to the fetus because the cells are
rapidly dividing and differentiating into specific body structures. The embryonic stage of development
begins at day 15 after conception and continues through week 8. Basic structures of all major body organs
and the main external features are completed during this time period, including internal organs. Week 9 to
birth is the fetal stage; fertilization to the week 2 is the pre-embryonic stage. Weeks 2 to 8 are the time
period known as the embryonic stage.
A pregnant client has heard about Down syndrome and wants to know about the risk factors associated
with it. What would the nurse include as a risk factor? - ANS-advanced maternal age
Advanced maternal age is one the most important factors that increases the risk of an infant being born
with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is not associated with advanced paternal age, recurrent
miscarriages, or family history of Down syndrome.
A 47-year-old woman with osteoarthritis and hypertension is diagnosed with breast cancer. She tells the
nurse that her mother also suffered from osteoarthritis and hypertension and she developed breast cancer
at the age of 51 years. The nurse explains that this could be a result of: - ANS-multifactorial inheritance.
Many birth defects and common health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer,
osteoarthritis, and diabetes occur as a result of interactions of multiple gene mutations and environmental
influences. Thus, they are called multifactorial or complex conditions. The other answers are incorrect
because X-linked conditions, autosomal recessive conditions, and autosomal dominant conditions are not
caused by the interactions of multiple gene mutations and environmental influences.
The nurse is seeing a client who is going to be married in a month. This client has a history of Huntington
disease in her family. The genetic testing has come back, and the client has just been told she carries the
gene for Huntington disease and will develop the disease when she gets older. The client asks the nurse if
this information is confidential and if it will remain that way. The nurse explains to the client that her family
should be told and so should her fiancé. The client forcefully tells the nurse "no." She is not going to tell
either her family or her fiancé. What is the nurse's best response? - ANS-"I will respect your wishes and
keep your information confidential. I do wish you would reconsider though"
The nurse must honor the client's wishes while explaining to the client the potential benefit this information
may have for other family members. The other answers are incorrect because the nurse has to honor the
wishes of her client.
During a clinical rotation at a prenatal clinic, a client asks a nurse what causes certain birth defects. The
nurse replies that they can be caused by teratogens. What does the severity of the defects depend on?
Select all that apply. - ANS-when during development the conceptus is exposed to the teratogen
the particular teratogen to which the fetus is exposed
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