A woman at 30 weeks' gestation and a history including sickle cell anemia presents to the clinic complaining of fever, chills, and diarrhea for three days. What are the most serious potential complications faced by this patient?
1. Electrolyte imbalance
2. Sickle cell crisis
3. Fetal neural tube defects
4. Severe lethargy
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: While the patient may experience electrolyte imbalance, sickle cell crisis is the most serious potential complication of dehydration and fever.
Rationale 2: Dehydration and fever can trigger sickling and crisis; for this reason, maternal infections are treated promptly.
Rationale 3: Fever, chills, and dehydration in the patient with sickle cell anemia are not associated with an increased incidence of neural tube defects.
Rationale 4: While the patient may develop severe lethargy, her greatest risk concerns development of sickle cell crisis.
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