The nurse admits a patient who is in a sickle cell crisis. The nurse should prepare for which intervention as the top priority in the management of the patient?
Oxygen administration
Blood transfusion
Intravenous fluid therapy
Pain management
The Correct Answer is D
A. Oxygen therapy may be indicated if the patient shows signs of respiratory distress or has low oxygen saturation levels, but it does not address the underlying pain or dehydration associated with the crisis.
B. Blood transfusions can be an effective treatment for severe complications of sickle cell disease, including acute chest syndrome or severe anemia. However, transfusions are not typically the immediate priority in the early management of a sickle cell crisis unless there is a clear indication of severe anemia or complications.
C. IV fluid therapy is crucial for managing dehydration, which can exacerbate sickle cell crises. Adequate hydration helps reduce blood viscosity and can alleviate some symptoms. However, while important, fluid therapy alone does not address the immediate and often severe pain that patients experience.
D. Pain management is the top priority in the management of a patient in a sickle cell crisis. Patients often experience severe pain due to vaso-occlusive events, and addressing pain is essential for patient comfort and quality of care.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. While obtaining a sputum culture is important for diagnosing a potential respiratory infection, it is not the immediate priority. The patient’s vital signs and oxygenation status need to be assessed first to ensure safety and to inform clinical decisions.
B. Assessing the patient’s vital signs and oxygen saturation is critical in this situation. The symptoms of disorientation, chills, and chest pain could indicate a serious condition such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.
C. Gathering a complete history is valuable for understanding the patient's condition and underlying causes of symptoms. However, this action should follow immediate assessments of vital signs and oxygen saturation, especially in a potentially unstable patient.
D. Administering the pneumococcal vaccine is important for prevention but is not an urgent action in this acute situation. The patient’s current symptoms require immediate assessment and intervention rather than preventive measures.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. While anemia is a common finding in aplastic anemia, it is not the most comprehensive answer. Aplastic anemia results in a deficiency of all blood cell types due to bone marrow failure, so while anemia is present, it does not fully capture the extent of the disorder.
B. This is the most accurate choice. Pancytopenia refers to the simultaneous reduction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In aplastic anemia, the bone marrow fails to produce adequate blood cells, leading to this triad of cytopenias, making it the hallmark of the disease.
C. Neutropenia, which is a low level of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), can occur in aplastic anemia. However, it is only one component of the broader condition and does not represent the complete picture of the disease.
D. Leukopenia refers to a low white blood cell count. Like neutropenia, it can be a finding in aplastic anemia, but it does not encompass the anemia and thrombocytopenia that also occur.
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