Question

A nurse is admitting a 7-month-old infant with a diagnosis of neuroblastoma to the pediatric in-patient unit. The infant is the parents' third child. The infant's father asks, "The doctor keeps talking about the genetics of the tumor. What does that mean?" Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

1) The doctor wants to determine whether any of your other children is at high risk of developing a neuroblastoma.
2) The doctor wants to determine whether the genetic code in your baby's tumor is different from the genetic code in the rest of the baby's cells.
3) The doctor is mandated by law to report to the health department any genetic mutation that is caused by environmental contaminants.
4) The doctor will be better able to determine how the baby's therapy will work once the exact genetic code of the tumor is identified.

Answer 1

The genetics of the tumor refers to the unique genetic changes in the tumor cells, which can influence treatment options and familial risk assessment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The genetics of the tumor refers to the specific genetic alterations that are present in the tumor cells. These genetic changes can be different from the DNA of healthy cells in the body and can influence how the tumor behaves and how it may respond to treatment. When the doctor is discussing the genetics of your infant's neuroblastoma, they are likely exploring two main areas:

1. The potential for these genetic changes to be inherited or present in other family members, which would indicate whether screening is necessary for siblings or if there is an increased familial risk.
2. The tumor's individual genetic code, which can assist in tailoring personalized treatment plans for the infant and improving the effectiveness of therapy.

Therefore, the most appropriate response by the nurse would be: "The doctor wants to determine whether the genetic code in your baby's tumor is different from the genetic code in the rest of the baby's cells. This information can help tailor treatment specifically for your baby's condition."