ATI Nursing Care of Children Related

Review ATI Nursing Care of Children related questions and content

The parents of a child with sickle cell anemia ask why their child did not have a sickle cell crisis until he was approximately 6 months old. How should the nurse respond?

  • A. Your child probably had a crisis, and you were unaware of the symptoms.
  • B. Are you sure your child has sickle cell anemia and not sickle cell trait?
  • C. Affected children can be asymptomatic in early infancy because of high levels of fetal hemoglobin that inhibit sickling.
  • D. Have you asked your doctor about this yet?
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is present in high levels during early infancy, inhibiting sickling unlike adult hemoglobin (HbS). As the levels of HbF decrease and HbS increases, the risk of sickling and crises becomes more pronounced, typically after 6 months of age. Choice A is incorrect because it assumes the crisis went unnoticed, which is not supported by medical knowledge. Choice B is incorrect as it questions the child's diagnosis rather than explaining the phenomenon of delayed crises. Choice D is incorrect as it does not provide the parents with the necessary information regarding their query.