Free CGC Genetic Risk Assessment & Counseling Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first step in genetic risk assessment?
- Order genetic testing immediately.
- Conduct a physical examination.
- Collect detailed family history. (Correct answer)
- Review medical insurance coverage.
Correct answer: Collect detailed family history.
Collecting a comprehensive family history helps identify patterns of inherited conditions.
Question 2: Which pedigree symbol represents a female in genetic counseling?
- Square
- Circle (Correct answer)
- Triangle
- Diamond
Correct answer: Circle
In pedigrees, circles are used to represent females.
Question 3: What is the term for a person who carries a gene for a genetic disorder but shows no symptoms?
- Affected individual
- Homozygote
- Carrier (Correct answer)
- Proband
Correct answer: Carrier
A carrier has one copy of a mutated gene but does not exhibit the disorder themselves.
Question 4: Which of the following increases the accuracy of a genetic risk assessment?
- Only the proband's medical history
- Medical history of family pets
- Three-generation pedigree with diagnosis details (Correct answer)
- Zodiac signs of family members
Correct answer: Three-generation pedigree with diagnosis details
Accurate risk assessments depend on three-generation family histories with health details.
Question 5: What does autosomal dominant inheritance imply?
- Condition is caused only when both gene copies are mutated.
- Condition only affects females.
- One copy of a mutated gene can cause the condition. (Correct answer)
- Genes are only inherited from the mother.
Correct answer: One copy of a mutated gene can cause the condition.
A single copy of the mutated gene from either parent can cause the disorder.
Question 6: Which condition is typically associated with autosomal recessive inheritance?
- Marfan syndrome
- Cystic fibrosis (Correct answer)
- Huntington's disease
- Neurofibromatosis type 1
Correct answer: Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a classic example of an autosomal recessive condition.
Question 7: What is consanguinity in genetic counseling?
- Adopted family relationships
- Genetic counseling over the phone
- Biological relationship between partners (Correct answer)
- Mismatched blood types
Correct answer: Biological relationship between partners
Consanguinity refers to parents who are biologically related, increasing genetic risks.
Question 8: Why is the proband important in risk assessment?
- They are the oldest family member.
- They initiate the family health analysis. (Correct answer)
- They represent non-biological family.
- They are the counselor's assistant.
Correct answer: They initiate the family health analysis.
The proband is the starting point for analyzing the family's genetic history.
Question 9: What is the purpose of using a risk calculator in genetic counseling?
- To predict career paths
- To assess insurance premiums
- To calculate genetic risk probabilities (Correct answer)
- To record diet history
Correct answer: To calculate genetic risk probabilities
Risk calculators help quantify the likelihood of passing on or developing a genetic condition.
What is the first step in genetic risk assessment?