The mother of a teenage boy with sickle cell anemia asks the nurse why her son has such horrible pain during a sickle cell crisis. Which of the following is the best response by the nurse?
"Dehydration Is the primary reason for the pain that is experienced during a sickle cell crisis; try to increase your son's fluid intake."
"We really don't know what causes the pain that is experienced during a sickle cell crisis."
"Sickled cells get clogged in the blood vessels, preventing blood from getting to the tissues, which causes the severe pain of a crisis."
"You will need to discuss this with your doctor. I cannot explain why this pain occurs to your son."
The Correct Answer is C
A. "Dehydration Is the primary reason for the pain that is experienced during a sickle cell crisis; try to increase your son's fluid intake."
This response is not the best choice because while dehydration can indeed exacerbate sickle cell crises and lead to complications, it is not the primary reason for the pain experienced during a sickle cell crisis. The severe pain during a crisis is primarily due to vaso-occlusion, where sickled red blood cells block blood flow in the small blood vessels, leading to tissue ischemia and pain. While adequate hydration is important in managing sickle cell disease, it alone does not address the underlying cause of the pain during a crisis.
B. "We really don't know what causes the pain that is experienced during a sickle cell crisis."
This response is not accurate and not the best choice because the medical community does understand the underlying cause of pain during a sickle cell crisis. It is primarily due to vaso-occlusion, as mentioned earlier, where sickled red blood cells block blood flow in the blood vessels.
C. "Sickled cells get clogged in the blood vessels, preventing blood from getting to the tissues, which causes the severe pain of a crisis."
This response is the best choice because it provides an accurate and clear explanation of why individuals with sickle cell anemia experience severe pain during a sickle cell crisis. It addresses the underlying mechanism of vaso-occlusion, where sickled red blood cells block blood flow in the small blood vessels, leading to tissue ischemia and severe pain.
D. "You will need to discuss this with your doctor. I cannot explain why this pain occurs to your
son."
This response is not the best choice because the nurse should be able to provide basic information about the disease and its symptoms to the mother. It's important for healthcare professionals to educate patients and their families about their condition to improve understanding and facilitate better management and coping strategies.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Increasing fluids to maintain BP: While staying well-hydrated is generally beneficial for overall health and blood pressure management, increasing fluids is not the primary intervention for dizziness associated with alpha-adrenergic blockers. Alpha-blockers can cause orthostatic hypotension, which may lead to dizziness upon standing, especially if rising quickly.
B. Taking medication first thing in the morning: Taking medication in the morning is a common recommendation for many medications, including some antihypertensive drugs. However, for alpha-adrenergic blockers that can cause orthostatic hypotension, timing of medication administration is not the primary concern in addressing dizziness.
C. Stopping medication if dizziness persists: Abruptly stopping medication without consulting a healthcare provider is not recommended, especially for antihypertensive medications. It's important for clients to follow their prescribed treatment plan and communicate any side effects or concerns to their healthcare provider for appropriate management.
D. Rising slowly from a lying or sitting position: This is the correct emphasis for the nurse. Alpha-adrenergic blockers can cause orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure upon standing, which can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. To minimize this risk, the client should be advised to rise slowly from lying down or sitting to standing positions. This gradual movement helps the body adjust to changes in blood pressure more effectively.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. The nurse stays with the client for 15 minutes after beginning the transfusion:
This action is appropriate as it ensures the nurse monitors the client closely for any immediate adverse reactions during the initial phase of the transfusion.
B. The nurse primes the blood tubing with lactated Ringer's solution:
This action is incorrect and potentially dangerous. Blood tubing should be primed with normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) solution, not lactated Ringer's solution, to prevent potential adverse reactions or hemolysis of the blood products.
C. The nurse starts the infusion at a slow rate for the first 15 minutes:
This action is appropriate as it allows for the initial assessment of the client's tolerance to the transfusion and reduces the risk of adverse reactions.
D. The nurse witnesses the client sign the consent form for the blood transfusion:
This action is appropriate and ensures that the client has provided informed consent for the procedure.
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