CGC Genetic Counseling Communication & Education 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a pedigree in a genetic counseling session?
- To satisfy documentation requirements only
- To visually map family medical history and identify inheritance patterns (Correct answer)
- To provide patients with a record of their relatives
- To replace the need for genetic testing
Correct answer: To visually map family medical history and identify inheritance patterns
Pedigrees systematically capture multigenerational family history to analyze inheritance patterns and identify at-risk relatives.
Question 2: During a session, a patient becomes visibly distressed upon learning about a hereditary cancer risk. The counselor's immediate priority should be:
- Continue reviewing test options to stay on schedule
- Acknowledge the patient's emotional response and provide space to process (Correct answer)
- Refer the patient immediately to a mental health professional
- Remind the patient that early detection improves outcomes
Correct answer: Acknowledge the patient's emotional response and provide space to process
Acknowledging distress and creating emotional space is foundational to patient-centered counseling before advancing to clinical information.
Question 3: Which informed consent element is MOST critical when discussing predictive genetic testing for a late-onset condition?
- The cost of the genetic test
- The potential psychological impact of knowing one's genetic status (Correct answer)
- The time required to complete the test
- The number of labs that offer the test
Correct answer: The potential psychological impact of knowing one's genetic status
Predictive testing for late-onset conditions has significant psychological implications that must be addressed as part of informed consent.
Question 4: A genetic counselor suspects a patient has not truly understood the recurrence risk discussed. The BEST next step is to:
- Document that information was provided
- Use teach-back to reassess and re-explain with different framing (Correct answer)
- Provide a pamphlet and schedule a follow-up
- Ask the referring physician to reinforce the information
Correct answer: Use teach-back to reassess and re-explain with different framing
Reassessing comprehension through teach-back and offering alternative explanations ensures genuine informed understanding.
Question 5: In pediatric genetic counseling, assent from a minor patient is BEST described as:
- Legally binding consent that replaces parental consent
- The child's affirmative agreement to participate in testing, considered alongside parental consent (Correct answer)
- Permission obtained only from teenagers aged 16 and older
- Not necessary if parents have consented
Correct answer: The child's affirmative agreement to participate in testing, considered alongside parental consent
Assent acknowledges the developing autonomy of minors and is ethically important alongside parental consent, though it is not legally binding.
Question 6: A genetic counselor is helping a patient communicate a hereditary risk to family members. The MOST appropriate counselor role is to:
- Contact family members directly on the patient's behalf
- Provide the patient with tools and guidance to share the information themselves (Correct answer)
- Advise the patient not to disclose to avoid family anxiety
- Require family members to attend the next counseling session
Correct answer: Provide the patient with tools and guidance to share the information themselves
The genetic counselor respects patient confidentiality by empowering the patient to share information rather than contacting relatives directly.
CGC Genetic Counseling Communication & Education 2
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a pedigree in a genetic counseling session?