An Adult Patient with Sickle Cell Anemia Is Being Treated

Multiple Choice

An adult patient with sickle cell anemia is being treated for a severe acute crisis with an opioid analgesic, a glucocorticoid, and hydroxyurea. The patient's complete blood count reveals neutrophils 2000/mm³, platelets 85,000/mm³, reticulocytes 85,000/mm³, and a hemoglobin of 4.2 gm/dL. What will the nurse anticipate doing?

A) Decreasing the glucocorticoid dose
B) Increasing the glucocorticoid dose
C) Increasing the hydroxyurea dose
D) Stopping the hydroxyurea