Final answer:
The recommended blood tests for an African-American couple seeking preconception counseling are sickle cell preparation and a CBC, followed by hemoglobin electrophoresis if abnormalities are detected, to screen for sickle cell anemia and other hemoglobin disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on their African-American descent, the blood tests I would recommend for a couple seeking preconception counseling are sickle cell preparation and a complete blood count (CBC).
These tests are used to screen for sickle cell anemia, a common genetic disorder among people of African descent. Sickle cell anemia is characterized by the production of abnormal hemoglobin, which can cause red blood cells to become sickle-shaped, leading to a variety of complications such as obstruction of blood flow and anemia.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis is also suggested, especially if the sickle cell preparation indicates the presence of sickle cell trait. This test helps in identifying different forms of hemoglobin, including abnormal variants associated with hemoglobin disorders such as hemoglobin C characteristic of West and North Africa.