Question

Nurse is caring for a patient who has sickle cell anemia and is taking hydroxyurea. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider? (Select all that apply.)

A) Increased energy levels.
B) Elevated blood pressure.
C) Presence of mouth sores.
D) Decreased white blood cell count.

Answer 1

The nurse should report elevated blood pressure, presence of mouth sores, and decreased white blood cell count to the healthcare provider when a patient with sickle cell anemia is taking hydroxyurea.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a patient with sickle cell anemia who is taking hydroxyurea, the nurse should report the following findings to the healthcare provider:

• Elevated blood pressure: This could indicate a secondary complication or an adverse effect of the medication.
• Presence of mouth sores: Mouth sores may be a sign of mucositis, a common side effect of hydroxyurea that the provider needs to be aware of.
• Decreased white blood cell count: This could suggest bone marrow suppression, a serious side effect of hydroxyurea that requires immediate medical attention.

An increase in energy levels is typically not a concerning symptom and is actually a desired outcome of treatment. However, if symptoms like elevated blood pressure, mouth sores, or a decreased white cell count are observed, they must be reported as they can indicate potential complications related to the medication or disease progression.