Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease ( 15 Questions)
The nurse recognizes this as a:
A severe episode of pain in a client with sickle cell disease (SCD) is indicative of a sickle cell crisis. Sickle cell crisis is a common complication of SCD, characterized by sudden, severe pain due to the formation of sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct blood flow in small blood vessels. This vaso-occlusion leads to tissue ischemia and pain in various parts of the body. It is a hallmark symptom of SCD and requires prompt management, typically with pain medications and hydration.
Hemolysis event is not the correct choice in this context. Hemolysis refers to the premature destruction of red blood cells, which can occur in SCD but does not directly correlate with the severe pain experienced during a sickle cell crisis.
Jaundice episode is not the correct choice in this context either. Jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes, can occur in individuals with SCD due to the breakdown of hemoglobin from ruptured red blood cells, but it does not specifically address the severe pain described in the question.
Inflammatory reaction is not the correct choice for this scenario. While inflammation can play a role in the pathophysiology of SCD, it does not directly describe the acute and severe pain experienced during a sickle cell crisis.
Choice A rationale:
A severe episode of pain in a client with sickle cell disease (SCD) is indicative of a sickle cell crisis.
Sickle cell crisis is a common complication of SCD, characterized by sudden, severe pain due to the formation of sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct blood flow in small blood vessels.
This vaso-occlusion leads to tissue ischemia and pain in various parts of the body.
It is a hallmark symptom of SCD and requires prompt management, typically with pain medications and hydration.
Choice B rationale:
Hemolysis event is not the correct choice in this context.
Hemolysis refers to the premature destruction of red blood cells, which can occur in SCD but does not directly correlate with the severe pain experienced during a sickle cell crisis.
Choice C rationale:
Jaundice episode is not the correct choice in this context either.
Jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes, can occur in individuals with SCD due to the breakdown of hemoglobin from ruptured red blood cells, but it does not specifically address the severe pain described in the question.
Choice D rationale:
Inflammatory reaction is not the correct choice for this scenario.
While inflammation can play a role in the pathophysiology of SCD, it does not directly describe the acute and severe pain experienced during a sickle cell crisis.