Sickle cell disease

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Inherited hemoglobin disorder causes red cells to sickle under stressors such as hypoxia, dehydration, infection, or cold.
• Sickled RBCs block microcirculation, causing ischemic pain, anemia, and organ damage.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Signs / symptoms

• Severe pain crisis needs prompt pain control.
• Fever is high priority.
• Chest pain or neuro changes are emergency cues.

Nursing actions

• Assess pain, oxygenation, hydration, fever, neurologic changes, chest symptoms, and splenic enlargement in children.
• Support oxygen if hypoxic, fluids as ordered, pain control, warmth, and infection evaluation.
• Teach hydration, avoiding extreme cold/high altitude, immunizations, and fever reporting.

Complications

• Acute chest syndrome
• Stroke
• Sepsis
• Splenic sequestration
• Priapism

NCLEX cues

• Severe pain crisis needs prompt pain control.
• Fever is high priority.
• Chest pain or neuro changes are emergency cues.

Memory hooks

• Sickle blocks blood flow; prevent hypoxia and dehydration.

Labs / Diagnostics

• CBC
• Reticulocyte count
• Pulse oximetry
• Chest x-ray for chest symptoms
• Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Review notes

• Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.