GENETICS ASSISGNMENT (GENOGRAM) - Essay Example

Genetics assignment (genogram) In the nursing and the overall medical field, genograms (popularly called Lapidus Schematic) are utterly important in assessing and tracking the medical history of an individual. It helps in ascertaining patterns that have recurred overtime. Apparently, what is happening in a client’s life can appropriately be understood through an examination of their family history. Remarkably, discretion should be upheld in the preparation and presentation of genograms since the information therein might be deleterious and embarrassing to some family members.

To avoid adversaries, sharing of genomic information is restricted (Skirton et al., 2005). Below is a three-generation genogram showing age, death, marriage, illness, abuses, and divorce status of the family.Key M-marriage //-divorce X-death Circles for females, squares for males. Genes, made of DNA bases, are the blueprint of inheritance (Skirton et al., 2005). Each individual has thousands of genes, with each individual inheriting a replica of the gene from their parents. The organization of genes is along string-like edifices called chromosomes and each individual receives 2-sets of 23 chromosomes one from their father and one from their mother (Tranin & Jenkins, 2003).

Apparently, John has inherited the alcoholic habit from his father and Lois has inherited asthma from her father who had it as a recessive trait that developed from Lois’ paternal grandmother. A comprehensive DNA screening can be done to ascertain the exact level of alcoholism in John and maneuver on techniques of circumventing further alcoholism in the family (Jenkins & Lea, 2005). Additionally, John, Lois, and Rick can be subjected to patient education program where John will be taught on how to avoid alcohol, Lois on how to handle her asthmatic condition, and Rick on how to avoid becoming alcoholic or ascertain whether he is likely to be alcoholic in the future.

John and Lois should learn on how to manage their situations rather than blaming their families for their medical conditions. However, it is ostensible that if the second generation (father in particular) had been subjected into programs that would enable them to effectively handle his conditions, the risks of asthma and alcoholism would have significantly been reduced in the third generation. Additionally, genetic testing for innate genetic variants should be performed to determine genetic risks for the third generations (Rick, Lois and John) progeny, diagnose the symptoms in John and Lois, and shed light on the appropriate treatment for John and Lois’s condition.

Gene products, DNA, or chromosomes should be analyzed through phenotypic testing and the incandescent in situ hybridization and Karyotype examination that detects disparity in number or form of chromosomes (Jenkins & Lea, 2005). Moreover, mass spectrometry should be used in analysis of all alive family members to enable physicians devise an appropriate treatment plan (Tranin & Jenkins, 2003). Use of DNA chip technology will further aid in the analysis and enable the obtainment of finer details regarding the genetics and medical conditions of the family.

Clinical and analytical validity tests should also be performed on the third generation to ascertain the kind of mutation that has occurred in the family and possibly environment conditions that led to the development of the specific medical conditions (Jenkins & Lea, 2005). Ostensibly, nursing practice is progressively integrating genomics and genetics into the healthcare industry to enhance screening, analysis, and handling of individuals with health conditions that are genomic-based. This will eventually improve the quality of care and promote healthy living.

ReferencesJenkins, J. & Lea, D.H. (2005). Nursing care in the genomic era: A case-based approach. Sudbury, Ma: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Skirton, H., Patch, C. & Williams, J. (2005). Applied genetics in healthcare: A handbook for specialist practitioners. New York: Taylor & Francis Group. Tranin, A. & Jenkins, J. (2003). Genetics in oncology practice. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.