Marsha suggested to the nurse at the local family planning clinic that if the baby were a boy he might have a higher risk for developing the disease, just like his grandfather. If you were this Practitioner, how would you respond?

If I were the nurse at the local family planning clinic, I would respond to Marsha’s suggestion by reassuring her that there is no scientific evidence to suggest a higher risk for disease based solely on gender. I would explain that any potential hereditary factors are associated with genetic material passed down from parent to child and not necessarily specific sex. It is important to note however that while this particular situation may not be applicable in this case, it is still beneficial for patients to be aware of their family medical history as certain conditions can run in families and having knowledge about these might help them make more informed decisions regarding their health care.

I would then recommend that if Marsha does have concerns about her baby\’s future health she should speak with her primary care provider or pediatrician once the baby is born so that they can better assess any possible risks based on both her personal and familial medical history—and provide proper guidance/recommendations accordingly. Finally I would suggest considering other available services such prenatal testing or genetic counseling if deemed necessary in order ensure best possible outcomes moving forward.