Sickle Cell Crisis — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Sickled RBCs → vaso-occlusion
👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team
🕐 Updated 2026-07-11
🏷️ Physiological Adaptation
🔖 Free to read, print, and share
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Sickle Cell Crisis on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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- hypoxia, dehydration, infection
- cold, stress, high altitude, exertion
- SEVERE pain (vaso-occlusion)
- swelling joints, jaundice, fever
- HOP: Hydration, Oxygen, Pain
- IV fluids, O2, opioids (PCA), rest
- warm compress (NOT cold)
- hydroxyurea prevents crises
- acute chest syndr → fatal
- stroke, splenic sequestration
✨Quick Tip
Vaso-occlusion causes severe pain, most often in the chest, abdomen, back, and joints.
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