TEXAS GENETIC COUNSELOR LICENSING EXAM –
PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary role of a genetic counselor?
A. Diagnose genetic disorders
B. Interpret genetic test results and counsel patients on implications
C. Prescribe medications for genetic conditions
D. Conduct laboratory genetic testing
Rationale: Genetic counselors focus on patient education and
interpretation of test results, not medical treatment or laboratory
analysis.
2. Which inheritance pattern is characterized by transmission from
carrier mothers to affected sons?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked recessive
D. Mitochondrial
Rationale: X-linked recessive conditions typically affect males who
inherit the mutant allele from carrier mothers.
,3. Which law regulates genetic discrimination in health insurance and
employment in the U.S.?
A. HIPAA
B. GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act)
C. ADA
D. ACA
Rationale: GINA specifically protects individuals from discrimination
based on genetic information in health insurance and employment.
4. A couple with a child with cystic fibrosis asks about recurrence risk.
Both parents are carriers. What is their risk of having another affected
child?
A. 25%
B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 75%
Rationale: Autosomal recessive inheritance gives a 25% risk for
affected offspring when both parents are carriers.
5. Which test best detects chromosomal microdeletions?
A. Karyotype
B. Chromosomal microarray (CMA)
C. FISH
D. PCR
,Rationale: CMA is most sensitive for detecting submicroscopic
deletions and duplications.
6. A patient’s family history shows multiple generations affected by
early-onset colon cancer. Which syndrome should be suspected?
A. Li-Fraumeni
B. Lynch syndrome (HNPCC)
C. Peutz-Jeghers
D. Familial adenomatous polyposis
Rationale: Lynch syndrome involves autosomal dominant inheritance
and early-onset colorectal and endometrial cancers.
7. Which of the following is not a principle of genetic counseling
ethics?
A. Respect for autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Coercion
D. Justice
Rationale: Ethical counseling must be non-directive and avoid coercion
or manipulation.
8. Which molecular technique is used to detect single nucleotide
variants?
, A. FISH
B. Sanger sequencing
C. Karyotype
D. Microarray
Rationale: Sanger sequencing provides base-level accuracy for single
nucleotide changes.
9. Mitochondrial inheritance is characterized by:
A. Transmission through both parents
B. Transmission through the mother only
C. Skipping generations
D. Male-only inheritance
Rationale: Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited, affecting both
sons and daughters of affected mothers.
10. The Texas Medical Board oversees which aspect of genetic
counselor licensing?
A. Issuance and renewal of licenses
B. Academic curriculum design
C. Genetic testing protocols
D. Laboratory certification
Rationale: The Texas Medical Board is responsible for regulating and
issuing professional licenses to genetic counselors.
PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary role of a genetic counselor?
A. Diagnose genetic disorders
B. Interpret genetic test results and counsel patients on implications
C. Prescribe medications for genetic conditions
D. Conduct laboratory genetic testing
Rationale: Genetic counselors focus on patient education and
interpretation of test results, not medical treatment or laboratory
analysis.
2. Which inheritance pattern is characterized by transmission from
carrier mothers to affected sons?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked recessive
D. Mitochondrial
Rationale: X-linked recessive conditions typically affect males who
inherit the mutant allele from carrier mothers.
,3. Which law regulates genetic discrimination in health insurance and
employment in the U.S.?
A. HIPAA
B. GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act)
C. ADA
D. ACA
Rationale: GINA specifically protects individuals from discrimination
based on genetic information in health insurance and employment.
4. A couple with a child with cystic fibrosis asks about recurrence risk.
Both parents are carriers. What is their risk of having another affected
child?
A. 25%
B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 75%
Rationale: Autosomal recessive inheritance gives a 25% risk for
affected offspring when both parents are carriers.
5. Which test best detects chromosomal microdeletions?
A. Karyotype
B. Chromosomal microarray (CMA)
C. FISH
D. PCR
,Rationale: CMA is most sensitive for detecting submicroscopic
deletions and duplications.
6. A patient’s family history shows multiple generations affected by
early-onset colon cancer. Which syndrome should be suspected?
A. Li-Fraumeni
B. Lynch syndrome (HNPCC)
C. Peutz-Jeghers
D. Familial adenomatous polyposis
Rationale: Lynch syndrome involves autosomal dominant inheritance
and early-onset colorectal and endometrial cancers.
7. Which of the following is not a principle of genetic counseling
ethics?
A. Respect for autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Coercion
D. Justice
Rationale: Ethical counseling must be non-directive and avoid coercion
or manipulation.
8. Which molecular technique is used to detect single nucleotide
variants?
, A. FISH
B. Sanger sequencing
C. Karyotype
D. Microarray
Rationale: Sanger sequencing provides base-level accuracy for single
nucleotide changes.
9. Mitochondrial inheritance is characterized by:
A. Transmission through both parents
B. Transmission through the mother only
C. Skipping generations
D. Male-only inheritance
Rationale: Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited, affecting both
sons and daughters of affected mothers.
10. The Texas Medical Board oversees which aspect of genetic
counselor licensing?
A. Issuance and renewal of licenses
B. Academic curriculum design
C. Genetic testing protocols
D. Laboratory certification
Rationale: The Texas Medical Board is responsible for regulating and
issuing professional licenses to genetic counselors.
