Final answer:
Hydroxyurea is used in sickle cell anemia to reduce pain episodes and acute chest syndrome by increasing fetal hemoglobin production and decreasing the sickling of red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of hydroxyurea in a patient with hemoglobin SS (sickle cell anemia) is primarily A) Reduction of pain episodes and acute chest syndrome. Hydroxyurea works by increasing the production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which helps to prevent the sickling of red blood cells. When red blood cells sickle, they become rigid and can block blood flow, leading to pain, swelling, and organ damage. By reducing the frequency of sickled cells, hydroxyurea decreases the incidence of these vaso-occlusive crises and acute chest syndrome, a severe form of lung injury. Additionally, it may indirectly contribute to the stabilization of hemoglobin levels and may improve overall anemia; however, its primary role is not B) Prevention of infections, C) Hemoglobin level stabilization, or D) Improvement of oxygen saturation, although these might be secondary benefits.