CCNS Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist

Answer - C - The instruction that you would include in discharge teaching for the parents of a newborn diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia is how to palpate the abdomen and take a temperature. Acute splenic sequestration is a serious complication of sickle-cell anemia. Early detection of splenomegaly by parents is an important aspect of patient management. A temperature of 101.3 °F to 102.2 °F calls for emergency evaluation, even if the child appears well. The need for folic acid increases injections, so supplementation is prudent. Vitamin B₁₂ and iron supplements aren’t necessary. The Pneumococcal vaccine is used because children with sickle-cell anemia are prone to infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae.