Question

A female client with the beta-thalassemia trait plans to marry a man of Italian ancestry who also has the trait. Which client statement indicates that she understands the teaching provided by the nurse?
a) "If my fiancé was of Middle Eastern descent, I wouldn't be worried about having children."
b) "I need to learn how to give myself vitamin B12 injections."
c) "Thalassemia is treated with iron supplements."
d) "I'll see a genetic counselor before starting a family."

Answer 1

Answer: d - "I'll see a genetic counselor before starting a family."

Explanation: Beta - thalassemia is an autosomal dominant disorder that is characterized by reduced synthesis of beta - globin due to faulty messenger RNA (mRNA).

Symptoms include anaemia and intrauterine death.

Since it is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, it means that the woman is autosomal recessive for the disorder. If he decides to marry a man who also has thalassemia, it means that the man is also autosomal recessive for the disorder. For her to weigh her chances of giving birth to offspring that will also have thalassemia despite knowing the implications, she will need to visit a genetic counselor.