The nurse is teaching a client who has sickle cell disease and was admitted for splenomegaly and abdominal pain. Which instruction does the nurse include in the client's discharge teaching?

Question

a. "Avoid drinking large amounts of fluids."
b. "Eat six small meals daily instead of large meals."
c. "Engage in aerobic exercise 3 days a week."
d. "Receive a yearly influenza vaccination."

Answer 1

D
Abdominal pain and a palpable spleen could indicate blood trapping in the spleen. Over time, the spleen may become nonfunctional, which makes the client at risk for infection. An annual in-fluenza vaccination helps prevent infection. A client with sickle cell disease should not become dehydrated or engage in strenuous physical activity because this could precipitate a crisis. Eating smaller meals has no impact on sickle cell disease or infection.