Question

The nurse is assessing a child with sickle cell anemia and suspects acute chest syndrome. Which assessment finding supports this?

A. High fever, mild chest and back pain, and slurred speech
B. Severe chest and abdominal pain, high fever, and retractions
C. Severe vomiting, chest pains, and low oxygen saturation
D. Afebrile, chest and back pain, and a cough

Answer 1

Severe chest and abdominal pain, high fever, and retractions are assessment findings that support the nurse's suspicion of acute chest syndrome in a child with sickle cell anemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The assessment finding that supports the nurse's suspicion of acute chest syndrome in the child with sickle cell anemia is severe chest and abdominal pain, high fever, and retractions. Acute chest syndrome is a serious complication of sickle cell anemia that involves inflammation and blockage of the small blood vessels in the lungs. The child may experience chest and abdominal pain due to vaso-occlusion, which can lead to lung tissue damage and respiratory distress.