Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 80%
Simulated
A nurse in an outpatient facility is teaching a client about the development of mental illness. Which of the following statements by the nurse describes the role of a vulnerability gene?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: It is a gene variant that increases the risk for the development of a specific mental illness. Vulnerability genes are genetic variations that predispose individuals to a higher risk of developing a particular mental illness. This statement accurately describes the role of vulnerability genes in mental illness development. Choice B is incorrect because vulnerability genes do not solely cause mental illness but increase susceptibility. Choice C is incorrect as resilience genes would be responsible for an individual's ability to cope with stress, not vulnerability genes. Choice D is incorrect as recovery from mental illness is influenced by various factors, not solely vulnerability genes.