A patient tells the nurse that many of her family members have a type of anemia that is genetic. What should the nurse realize will occur in this patient?

Question

1. The patient will develop the disease only if there is a mutation in the gene.
2. The patient will develop the same type of anemia.
3. The patient will die from the anemia.
4. The patient will develop the disease only if the gene translocates.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1

All humans have essentially the same 20,000 to 25,000 genes; it is the mutation or polymorphism in the gene that predisposes some individuals for disease, not translocation nor the gene itself. The patient may or may not develop or die from anemia. Translocation does not predispose some individuals for disease.