The nurse is working in a newborn nursery when a parent asks the nurse to explain the benefits of DNA and RNA testing on a newborn child. The parents are concerned that their child may have inherited a disease that runs in both families

Question

Which of the following would the nurse tell the parents? 1. "Genetic testing can help obtain insurance for the child.".
2. "Genetic testing may reduce stress if negative.".
3. "Genetic testing will help identify resources if negative.".
4. "Genetic testing should have been done before pregnancy.".

Answer 1

2. "Genetic testing may reduce stress if negative.".

Rationale:
Genetic testing can help relieve psychological stress on the parents if the results are negative. Genetic testing will make it more difficult to obtain health insurance if the results are positive. If the tests are negative, the family will not need resources. Telling the parents that testing should have been done before pregnancy is inappropriate and would only serve to heighten the family's anxiety.