A school-age child is admitted to the hospital in a sickle-cell crisis. Which actions should the nurse include in the plan of care to address the child's pain?
A) Administering opioid analgesics, per order
B) Administering nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), per order
C) Applying cold packs to affected joints, prn
D) Encouraging oral fluid intake
E) Maintaining bed rest

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sickle cell crisis can cause severe pain, and managing this pain is a priority. Opioid analgesics (A) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (B) are commonly used to manage the pain associated with sickle cell crisis. Encouraging oral fluid intake (D) helps to prevent dehydration, which can exacerbate sickle cell crisis by increasing blood viscosity and sickling of cells. Maintaining bed rest (E) reduces oxygen demand and stress on the body, which can help in managing the crisis. Applying cold packs (C) is not recommended as cold can cause vasoconstriction, potentially worsening the sickling process and pain.

A School-Age Child Is Admitted to the Hospital in a Sickle-Cell