Application of Genetics in

nursing
2nd year BSc nursing
Dr. Kalpana
04/01/2021
Application of genetics in nursing
• In this era of advancing genetic and genomic technology in health, daily clinical
nursing care needs to be equally advanced.
• Nurses need updated knowledge of genetics, genetic basis of disease to deliver
appropriate nursing care.
• It would help in the identification and assessment of patients with genetic disorders.
• Recognise their family members at risk of developing the disease.
• Provide nursing care for such patients to improve their health.
• Maintenance of health of such patients.
• Perform risk assessment, analyse the genetic contribution to disease.
• Provide genetics education to the patients
• Conduct research
APPLICATION OF GENETICS IN
NURSING
• Nurses are the frontline health workers who can convert the genetic
knowledge and genomic technology into health care .
• Knowledge of basic concepts of genes and related diseases is
important as they are expected to have a significant role in caring for
patients with genetic predispositions.
• To prepare a team of nursing faculty who are knowledgeable and well
prepared .
• To improve capability of nursing care to patients in need.
Role of Genetic nurses
• They can act as
• Counsellor
• Technician
• Care manager
• Teacher for families affected by genetic diseases.
Where can genetic nurses work
• Speciality clinics where genetic therapy is provided.
• Laboratories where diagnostic tests for genetic diseases are
performed.
• Work in prenatal and assisted reproductive technology centres.
• Cancer research centres, biotechnology centres
What can genetic nurses do
• Collect relevant medical and family history of patients with genetic diseases.
• Be acquainted with signs and symptoms of genetic disorders and the causes of
these.
• Identify environmental or congenital predisposing risk factors leading to genetic
disorders.
• Support and educate the family members on how to manage such patients.
• Support couples who have had multiple miscarriages who need speciality genetic
testing and counselling.
• Couples with relatives with such diseases.
• Pregnant women with history of previous child with genetic based mental disease.
Application of genetics in nursing
• Obtain family history and prepare a pedigree chart
• Appraise the hereditary and nonhereditary/ environmental risk
factors.
• Promote behaviour and facilitate method to reduce risk factors.
• Spot the genetic disease and provide psychological counselling to
patients.
• Promote decision making genetic testing and interpret the test
results .
• Guide them about proper therapy and counselling