An adult patient with sickle cell anemia is being treated for a severe acute crisis with an opioid analgesic, a glucocorticoid, and hydroxyurea. The patient's complete blood count reveals neutrophils 2000/mm³, platelets 85,000/mm³, reticulocytes 85,000/mm³, and a hemoglobin of 4.2 gm/dL. What will the nurse anticipate doing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hydroxyurea can cause severe myelosuppression with life-threatening reductions in blood-cell counts. This patient's neutrophil count and hemoglobin level indicate toxicity, so the hydroxyurea should be interrupted until blood counts improve. Decreasing or increasing the glucocorticoid is not indicated. Increasing the hydroxyurea would worsen the myelosuppression.

An Adult Patient with Sickle Cell Anemia Is Being Treated