Question

The client comes to the emergency department with sudden onset of dizziness. The client's hemoglobin and hematocrit suddenly dropped due to an aplastic crisis. Which treatment should the nurse prepare to administer for this crisis?

-Administration of a blood transfusion
-Emergent pancreas removal
-IV antibiotics
-Stem cell transplantation

Answer 1

ANSWER: Administration of a blood transfusion

Step-by-step explanation:

Aplastic crisis is a potentially deadly complication of sickle cell disease that develops when erythrocyte production temporarily drops. Infection with parvovirus B-19 frequently causes aplastic crises (Saarinen et al., 1986).

Aplastic crisis may be associated with extensive bone marrow necrosis as well as acute selective erythroblastopenia

Immediate management is usually supportive involving mainly BLOOD TRANSFUSION to build up hematocrit level.

In the long term, bone marrow transplant to stimulate new cell growth is usually suggested.