🩺 Nursing Question of the Day
Challenge yourself with one exam-style nursing question every day.
✅ Think carefully • ✅ Choose your answer • ✅ Then scroll down to check the explanation.
📝 Today’s Question:
Which chromosomal abnormality is associated with clenched fists, micrognathia, and cardiac defects and carries a poor prognosis?
👆 Comment your answer and the tap an option to check your answer.
Don’t forget to Comment your answer below.
🧬 Trisomy 18 — Edwards Syndrome
B. Trisomy 18
C. Trisomy 13
D. Trisomy 21
✅ Answer: (B) Trisomy 18
📖 Why is Trisomy 18 the Correct Answer?
Trisomy 18, also called Edwards syndrome, occurs when a person has an extra copy of chromosome 18. It is a severe chromosomal disorder associated with multiple congenital abnormalities and a generally poor prognosis.
One of the classic physical findings is the characteristic clenched hand. The fingers may overlap, with the index finger tending to overlap the third finger and the fifth finger overlapping the fourth.
Other important features include micrognathia (a small lower jaw), congenital heart defects, growth restriction, abnormal feet, and abnormalities of the central nervous system and other organs.
🔬 Key Features of Edwards Syndrome
- Clenched fists with overlapping fingers
- Micrognathia — small lower jaw
- Congenital heart defects
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Low birth weight
- Prominent occiput
- Rocker-bottom feet
- Developmental and intellectual impairment
- Multiple congenital abnormalities
Because Trisomy 18 affects multiple organ systems, affected infants have a high risk of serious complications and mortality, making the prognosis generally poor.
❌ Why Are the Other Options Wrong?
A. Monosomy X ❌
Monosomy X is Turner syndrome. Typical features include short stature, webbed neck, gonadal dysgenesis, and characteristic cardiovascular abnormalities. Clenched fists with overlapping fingers are not the classic feature.
B. Trisomy 18 ✅
Trisomy 18 causes Edwards syndrome, classically associated with clenched fists, overlapping fingers, micrognathia, congenital heart defects, and a poor prognosis.
C. Trisomy 13 ❌
Trisomy 13 is Patau syndrome. Important findings include cleft lip/palate, holoprosencephaly, microphthalmia, and polydactyly.
D. Trisomy 21 ❌
Trisomy 21 causes Down syndrome. Typical features include characteristic facial appearance, hypotonia, developmental impairment, and an increased risk of congenital heart disease.
📊 Quick Comparison
| Chromosomal Disorder | Classic Clue |
|---|---|
| Trisomy 18 | Clenched fists, micrognathia |
| Trisomy 13 | Cleft lip/palate, polydactyly |
| Trisomy 21 | Down syndrome features |
| Monosomy X | Short stature, webbed neck |
“18 = FIST”
Think of Trisomy 18 → clenched FISTS.
13 = Patau → Polydactyly
21 = Down
X = Turner
📌 Exam Tip: If you see clenched fists + overlapping fingers + micrognathia + congenital heart defects, immediately think Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome).
Concept clarity • Easy recall • Nursing success
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