The nurse continues to care for the client.

Exhibits

The nurse administers the client's scheduled medication. Which of the following adverse effects of the medication should the nurse monitor the client for? Select all that apply.

Rationale:

A. Increased hemoglobin: Elevated hemoglobin levels are generally associated with dehydration, high altitude, or chronic hypoxia, but they are not specific indicators of infection. Hemoglobin does not provide direct evidence of a bacterial process.

B. Increased absolute neutrophils: Neutrophils are the primary white blood cells involved in fighting bacterial infections. An elevated absolute neutrophil count suggests an acute bacterial infection or an inflammatory response caused by bacterial pathogens.

C. Decreased C-reactive protein: CRP is a marker of inflammation, often elevated during bacterial infections. A decreased CRP level makes bacterial infection less likely and is not consistent with the inflammatory response usually seen in such cases.

D. Decreased platelets: Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can result from viral infections, autoimmune diseases, or bone marrow disorders. While they may be altered in sepsis, they are not a reliable or primary marker of a typical bacterial infection.

Rationale:

A. Hematuria: Blood in the urine can occur with sickle cell disease due to renal papillary necrosis, but it is not specific to acute chest syndrome and does not require immediate emergency action in this context.

B. Sneezing: Sneezing is typically associated with upper respiratory infections or allergies and is not indicative of acute chest syndrome. It is not a critical symptom in this scenario.

C. Substernal retractions: Substernal retractions are a sign of respiratory distress and can indicate acute chest syndrome a life-threatening complication of sickle cell anemia. It involves pulmonary infiltration and can rapidly progress to hypoxia and respiratory failure, requiring urgent intervention.

D. Temperature 37.9° C (100.2° F): While fever in a sickle cell client should be closely monitored and reported, this temperature is low-grade. Alone, it does not immediately signal acute chest syndrome without accompanying respiratory symptoms.