Sickle cell disease

Topic: Medical-surgical

An inherited (autosomal recessive) hemoglobin disorder in which hemoglobin S makes red cells rigid and sickle-shaped under stress, so they block small vessels and break down early. Vaso-occlusive pain crises, chronic hemolytic anemia, acute chest syndrome, stroke, spleen damage that invites serious infection, and organ injury result. Dehydration, hypoxia, cold, infection and stress trigger crises. Treat pain promptly, reassess it often, give fluids and oxygen as ordered, keep the client warm, and watch for fever, chest pain, new dyspnea (acute chest syndrome) and neurological changes.

Also known as:

Sickle cell anemia, Sickle cell crisis, Vaso-occlusive crisis

In Turkish:

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