A woman at 30 weeks' gestation and a history of sickle cell anemia is experiencing fever, chills, and diarrhea for 3 days. What are the most serious potential complications that this client faces?

Question

1. Severe lethargy
2. Sickle cell crisis
3. Electrolyte imbalance
4. Fetal neural tube defects

Answer 1

2
Explanation:
1. While the client may develop severe lethargy, her greatest risk concerns development of sickle cell crisis.
2. Dehydration and fever can trigger sickling and crisis; for this reason, maternal infections are treated promptly.
3. While the client may experience electrolyte imbalance, sickle cell crisis is the most serious potential complication of dehydration and fever.
4. Fever, chills, and dehydration in the client with sickle cell anemia are not associated with an increased incidence of neural tube defects.