Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

In assessing a client for genetic testing related to Huntington's disease, what would the nurse's first step be?

1. Assess vital signs.

2. Assess family history of this disorder.

3. Assess client's past medical history.

4. Assess current medications.

The correct answer is: Assess family history of this disorder.

In the context of assessing a client for genetic testing related to Huntington's disease, the first step should focus on the client’s family history of the disorder. Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant genetic condition, meaning that it is inherited from an affected parent with a significant chance of passing it on to offspring. Understanding the client's family history is crucial because it helps determine whether there are any known cases of the disease in their family, which can indicate a potential risk for the client themselves. Family history not only provides insight into the likelihood of the client being a carrier of the gene mutation associated with Huntington’s disease but also aids in the overall assessment of potential genetic counseling needs. It helps inform the nurse about any patterns of inheritance and prepares appropriately for the conversation about genetic testing options, implications, and support systems available for the client and their family. Assessing vital signs, past medical history, or current medications, while important in a comprehensive evaluation, does not specifically address the immediate need to gather information pertinent to the possibility of Huntington's disease and its genetic implications. Therefore, focusing on family history is the most relevant first step in this assessment.