Genetic Counseling
Define Genetic Counseling - answer PROCESS of helping people to understand and
adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of the genetic contributions
to disease.
What are the 3 primary aspects of genetic counseling? (What do they do?) - answer1)
Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease
occurrence/recurrence
2) Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and
research.
3) Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptions to the risk or condition
True or false: One of the primary goals of genetic counseling is to help people choose
an appropriate course of action based on the patient's risk, family goals and ethical and
religious standards. - answer True.
Who provides genetic counseling? - answer Everyone! Genetic counselors, clinical
geneticists, genetic nurse clinicians, other genetic subspecialties (i.e. cytogenetics) and
Non-geneticists
What are the 7 guiding principles of genetic counselors/services? - answer1)
NONdirective counseling
2) Voluntary
3) Equal access (this is an ideal, often easier in urban areas)
4) Patient education (this is central to practice)
5) Complete disclosure of information (not being selective yet assessing what is
relevant to the patient's decision making)
6) Attention to psychosocial and affective dimensions of patient and family (helping
people cope with what impact it has on them or the families)
7) Confidentiality
What is the defining principle of genetic counseling (which of the 7 guiding principles
defines the practice of genetic couseling and how it is conducted)? -
answerNONdirective counseling.
What is nondirective counseling? - answerPresenting all informatino fairly and evenly
because the goal is for the PATIENT to come to a decision that meets his/her needs.
When does genetic counseling taking place (at what age)? - answerANY age.
Preconception, prenatal, pediatric, adult
Define Genetic Counseling - answer PROCESS of helping people to understand and
adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of the genetic contributions
to disease.
What are the 3 primary aspects of genetic counseling? (What do they do?) - answer1)
Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease
occurrence/recurrence
2) Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and
research.
3) Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptions to the risk or condition
True or false: One of the primary goals of genetic counseling is to help people choose
an appropriate course of action based on the patient's risk, family goals and ethical and
religious standards. - answer True.
Who provides genetic counseling? - answer Everyone! Genetic counselors, clinical
geneticists, genetic nurse clinicians, other genetic subspecialties (i.e. cytogenetics) and
Non-geneticists
What are the 7 guiding principles of genetic counselors/services? - answer1)
NONdirective counseling
2) Voluntary
3) Equal access (this is an ideal, often easier in urban areas)
4) Patient education (this is central to practice)
5) Complete disclosure of information (not being selective yet assessing what is
relevant to the patient's decision making)
6) Attention to psychosocial and affective dimensions of patient and family (helping
people cope with what impact it has on them or the families)
7) Confidentiality
What is the defining principle of genetic counseling (which of the 7 guiding principles
defines the practice of genetic couseling and how it is conducted)? -
answerNONdirective counseling.
What is nondirective counseling? - answerPresenting all informatino fairly and evenly
because the goal is for the PATIENT to come to a decision that meets his/her needs.
When does genetic counseling taking place (at what age)? - answerANY age.
Preconception, prenatal, pediatric, adult
