Sickle Cell Anemia (Online Lecture) Flashcards
how do you get sickle cell
inherited
what do sickle cell RBC look like
hard and pointed, not round
how long do sickle cells live for
10-20 days
if sickle cells only live for 10-20 days what other issue is present
anemia
sickle cell trait
individual has inherited the gene for sickle cell, will not develop into the disease
however sickle cell mom and dad will equal sickle cell child
average life expectancy
40 years
sickle cell cure
no clue, close is a bone marrow transplant
what type of anemia is sickle cell
hemolytic
what are some things that can exacerbate sickle cell crisis
low O2 levels
dehydrated
cold temp
example of low O2
mountain climbing
why does dehydration affect sickling
increased blood viscosity
why does cold temp impact sickling
vasoconstriction and slows blood flow
when sickle cells are crystalized they stick to endothelial and decrease blood flow which results in
ischemia/injury/infarction
what can revert cells back to normal shape
oxygen
when the blood vessel is inflamed this predicates
more sickling
sickle cell crisis
cells become sticky and reduce blood flow and oxygen
why would these patients appear jaundice
hemolysis
chronic manifesations
sudden, unpredictable, and intense pain
kidney failure
ongoing respiratory problems
risk for stroke
damage to hip bones
prolonged errections
damage to blood vessels int he eyes
increased risk of depression, anxitey
difficulty with mental tasks
anemia common s/s
fatigue
short of breath
pale
cold
dizzy
headache
what are these patients at risk for
infection
- esp if spleen is removed
recommendation for these patients
wash hands
get vaccines
avoid very hot and cold
stay hyrdated
what meds might be given in crisis
opioids
what should be known about these patients before giving opioids
they might have a tolerance
transfusions can do what
decrease pain
help improve anemia
what does hydroxurea do
prompts the body to make fetal hemoglobin
- this is newborn hemoglobin which helps RBC from sickling
why is blood loss significant in these patients
already anemic
nursing interventions
pain management
infection prevention
what is priority for these patients
pain
what influences how people describe pain or behave in pain
culture and ethnicity
is pain perception the same in everyone
no
