Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease ( 15 Questions)
Which clinical manifestations should the nurse be particularly attentive to during the assessment?
Pale skin and nail beds are not typically the primary clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease during a crisis. Sickle cell crises are primarily characterized by vaso-occlusive events leading to severe pain. While paleness may occur due to anemia associated with sickle cell disease, it is not the hallmark manifestation during a crisis.
An elevation in blood pressure is not a specific clinical manifestation of sickle cell disease. In fact, individuals with sickle cell disease may experience a drop in blood pressure during a crisis due to reduced blood flow and organ perfusion. Elevated blood pressure is more likely to be associated with other health conditions or stressors.
Swelling of the lower extremities is not a typical clinical manifestation of sickle cell disease during a crisis. The hallmark features of a sickling crisis include pain, jaundice, and, in some cases, dark urine, which results from the breakdown of sickled red blood cells. Swelling may occur in other conditions but is not specific to sickle cell disease.
Jaundice and dark urine are crucial clinical manifestations to monitor in a client with sickle cell disease during a crisis. Jaundice indicates the breakdown of red blood cells, which is a common occurrence during vaso-occlusive events. Dark urine results from the excretion of bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. These manifestations provide important diagnostic information and guide treatment.
Jaundice and dark urine.
Choice A rationale:
Pale skin and nail beds are not typically the primary clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease during a crisis.
Sickle cell crises are primarily characterized by vaso-occlusive events leading to severe pain.
While paleness may occur due to anemia associated with sickle cell disease, it is not the hallmark manifestation during a crisis.
Choice B rationale:
An elevation in blood pressure is not a specific clinical manifestation of sickle cell disease.
In fact, individuals with sickle cell disease may experience a drop in blood pressure during a crisis due to reduced blood flow and organ perfusion.
Elevated blood pressure is more likely to be associated with other health conditions or stressors.
Choice C rationale:
Swelling of the lower extremities is not a typical clinical manifestation of sickle cell disease during a crisis.
The hallmark features of a sickling crisis include pain, jaundice, and, in some cases, dark urine, which results from the breakdown of sickled red blood cells.
Swelling may occur in other conditions but is not specific to sickle cell disease.
Choice D rationale:
Jaundice and dark urine are crucial clinical manifestations to monitor in a client with sickle cell disease during a crisis.
Jaundice indicates the breakdown of red blood cells, which is a common occurrence during vaso-occlusive events.
Dark urine results from the excretion of bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown.
These manifestations provide important diagnostic information and guide treatment.