(Select all that apply):
A nurse is educating a patient with sickle cell disease (SCD) and their family about the treatment and management of the condition.
Which interventions should the nurse include in the education and counseling plan? (Select three)
Medication adherence.
Avoidance of cold and altitude.
Blood transfusion as a first-line treatment.
Stem cell transplantation for all SCD patients.
Providing emotional support and coping strategies.
Correct Answer : A,B,E
Choice A rationale:
Medication adherence is essential in the treatment and management of sickle cell disease (SCD)
Patients with SCD often require medications such as hydroxyurea to reduce the frequency of painful crises and other complications.
Non-adherence to medications can lead to worsened outcomes and increased morbidity.
Educating the patient and their family about the importance of taking medications as prescribed is crucial.
Choice B rationale:
Avoidance of cold and altitude is important for patients with SCD because exposure to cold temperatures and high altitudes can trigger vaso-occlusive crises.
Cold can cause red blood cells to sickle more easily, leading to pain and tissue damage.
Altitude can result in lower oxygen levels in the blood, exacerbating the risk of sickling.
Educating the patient and their family about these environmental factors and strategies to minimize exposure is essential for SCD management.
Choice E rationale:
Providing emotional support and coping strategies is a crucial component of managing SCD.
Patients with SCD often experience chronic pain, frequent hospitalizations, and a reduced quality of life.
Emotional support can help them cope with the physical and emotional challenges associated with the disease.
Teaching patients and their families how to manage stress, anxiety, and depression can improve their overall well-being.
Choice C rationale:
Blood transfusion is not a first-line treatment for all SCD patients.
It is typically reserved for specific indications, such as severe anemia or acute complications like stroke.
Stem cell transplantation (Choice D) is a potential curative treatment for some individuals with SCD, but it is not applicable to all patients due to factors like donor availability and eligibility.
Therefore, Choices C and D are not universally applicable and may not be included in the education and counseling plan for all SCD patients.
Choice D rationale:
Stem cell transplantation is not recommended as a treatment for all SCD patients.
It is considered a high-risk procedure with potential complications, and its suitability depends on factors such as patient age, disease severity, and the availability of a suitable donor.
Therefore, it is not included as a standard intervention in the education and counseling plan for all SCD patients.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Jaundice and gallstones are common complications of sickle cell disease (SCD) because of hemolysis, which is the destruction of abnormal red blood cells.
The breakdown of these cells releases bilirubin, leading to jaundice, and can also result in the formation of gallstones.
Choice B rationale:
This choice is incorrect.
Jaundice and gallstones in SCD are not caused by excessive iron intake in the diet.
Choice C rationale:
This choice is incorrect.
Allergic reactions to foods do not lead to jaundice and gallstones in SCD.
Choice D rationale:
This choice is incorrect.
Jaundice and gallstones in SCD do not result from an overproduction of normal red blood cells.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Rationale: A CBC is a standard blood test that provides information about the number and types of blood cells in the patient's circulation.
While it can help diagnose anemia, it does not confirm the presence of abnormal hemoglobins or sickle cell disease.
Choice A is not the essential test for confirming the diagnosis.
Choice B rationale:
Peripheral blood smear.
Rationale: A peripheral blood smear can be useful in assessing the morphology of red blood cells, but it may not be specific enough to confirm the presence of abnormal hemoglobins or sickle cell disease definitively.
It can provide supportive evidence but is not the primary diagnostic test.
Choice C rationale:
Solubility test or sickling test.
Rationale: The solubility test or sickling test is essential for confirming the diagnosis of sickle cell disease and identifying the presence of abnormal hemoglobins, specifically hemoglobin S (HbS)
This test is the gold standard for diagnosing SCD, making choice C the correct answer.
Choice D rationale:
Imaging studies, such as a chest x-ray.
Rationale: Imaging studies like chest x-rays are not used as primary diagnostic tools for sickle cell disease.
They may be employed to assess complications such as acute chest syndrome or other respiratory issues associated with SCD, but they do not confirm the diagnosis or identify abnormal hemoglobins.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.