Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease ( 15 Questions)
The nurse observes the patient wincing in pain and states, "I feel a sharp, stabbing pain in my abdomen and my joints ache terribly.”.
What is the most likely clinical manifestation of sickle cell disease that the nurse is assessing in this patient?
Impaired immune function is not the primary clinical manifestation assessed in a client with sickle cell disease experiencing severe pain in the joints and abdomen. While sickle cell disease can affect the immune system, the immediate concern in this scenario is addressing the intense pain caused by vaso-occlusion.
Organ damage is a potential long-term complication of sickle cell disease, but it is not the primary clinical manifestation being assessed in this patient. The description of sharp, stabbing pain in the abdomen and joint aches is indicative of a vaso-occlusive crisis, and the focus should be on pain management and addressing the crisis itself.
The nurse is most likely assessing a painful vaso-occlusive crisis in this patient. The description of sharp, stabbing pain and joint discomfort is consistent with the pain experienced during a vaso-occlusive crisis. These crises are a hallmark feature of sickle cell disease, characterized by the occlusion of blood vessels by sickled red blood cells, resulting in severe pain.
Delayed growth and development are long-term consequences of sickle cell disease, primarily seen in pediatric patients. In this scenario, the acute issue is the pain and discomfort the patient is currently experiencing, which is more indicative of a vaso-occlusive crisis.
Painful vaso-occlusive crisis.
Choice A rationale:
Impaired immune function is not the primary clinical manifestation assessed in a client with sickle cell disease experiencing severe pain in the joints and abdomen.
While sickle cell disease can affect the immune system, the immediate concern in this scenario is addressing the intense pain caused by vaso-occlusion.
Choice B rationale:
Organ damage is a potential long-term complication of sickle cell disease, but it is not the primary clinical manifestation being assessed in this patient.
The description of sharp, stabbing pain in the abdomen and joint aches is indicative of a vaso-occlusive crisis, and the focus should be on pain management and addressing the crisis itself.
Choice C rationale:
The nurse is most likely assessing a painful vaso-occlusive crisis in this patient.
The description of sharp, stabbing pain and joint discomfort is consistent with the pain experienced during a vaso-occlusive crisis.
These crises are a hallmark feature of sickle cell disease, characterized by the occlusion of blood vessels by sickled red blood cells, resulting in severe pain.
Choice D rationale:
Delayed growth and development are long-term consequences of sickle cell disease, primarily seen in pediatric patients.
In this scenario, the acute issue is the pain and discomfort the patient is currently experiencing, which is more indicative of a vaso-occlusive crisis.