Biology Forums - Study Force

A pregnant patient, learning that her unborn child has a high risk for Down syndrome, tells the nurse that she can just hear her mother now telling her “you should have had children when you were young and not in your late 30s.” Which of the following should the nurse respond to this patient?
1. “There might be a higher risk for Down syndrome with an older mother but younger women have also given birth to babies with Down syndrome.”
2. “Maybe you should have listened to your mother.”
3. “I wish all women would have children before they were 30 to eradicate the disease.”
4. “It’s not too late to terminate the pregnancy and try again.”

1 -- The patient is expressing guilt for waiting to have children. The nurse should explain that the risk may be higher for a woman who is older to have a baby with Down syndrome; however, younger women have given birth to a baby with the same genetic disorder. The nurse should not reinforce the patient’s guilt by agreeing with the mother. The nurse should not make the statement that all mothers should be under the age of 30. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder and not a disease. It would be inappropriate for the nurse to suggest the patient terminate the pregnancy.