Capillaries are actually very tiny little arteries and veins. Sickle cell disease causes the sickled red blood cells to clog the small capillaries and prevent blood from passing through. This causes a decrease in the amount of oxygen getting to cells which leads to cell death and pain. Sickle cell crises occur spontaneously or with infections.
Crises are times when the symptoms of the disease are most evident.
The pain is severe in the bones, joints, back and abdomen. The patient's temperature and white blood counts are elevated. Nursing care for a child with sickle cell anemia involves the teaching and supporting of family members, and providing comfort and pain relief to a child during their time of crisis. Making an accurate assessment of a child in sickle cell crisis involves examining all areas and systems that can be affected by circulatory obstruction. Some of the assessments performed are vital signs, neurologic signs, vision, and hearing, as well as the respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal and musculaskeletal system.