Question

a nurse is planning care for an adolescent client who has sickle cell anemia and is experiencing a vaso - occlusive crisis. which of the following interventions is the nurses priority?

• applying heat to the affected areas
• administering prophylactic antibiotics
• administering the pneumococcal vaccine
• promoting bed rest

Explanation:

For a client with sickle cell anemia and vaso - occlusive crisis, the goal is to reduce pain and tissue hypoxia. Promoting bed rest reduces oxygen demand, which is beneficial. Applying heat (not cold usually) is for pain, but bed rest is a priority. Prophylactic antibiotics are for infection prevention, not crisis management. Pneumococcal vaccine is for prevention, not during a crisis.

Answer:

D. Promoting bed rest