Sickle Cell Crisis

Table of Contents

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong health problem that makes a child's red blood cells become C-shaped or curved instead of round. People with sickle cell disease can get episodes of pain and anemia. Children experience pain when sickle cells get stuck in a vessel and block blood from flowing normally.  The student with sickle cell disease will have an IHP with an emergency action plan. The emergency action plan will say when to call the parent, nurse or 911.

Pain is the hallmark symptom of the disease. 

  • Pain can have a sudden onset, vary in intensity from mild to severe, and last for hours to weeks. 
  • Can occur without warning when sickle cells block blood flow and decrease oxygen delivered to an organ.
  •  Acute episodes of severe pain “crises” are the primary reason to seek medical care in hospital emergency departments. 

 A non-inclusive list symptoms considered an emergency to notify 911 immediately is:

  • Trouble breathing
  • A severe headache
  • A seizure
  • A change in vision
  • Unclear speech
  • Trouble waking up
  • Weakness in a part of the body

Actions

  1. Call the nurse or parent for symptoms outlined in the emergency action plan.
  2. Follow the student’s emergency action plan.
  3. If the student is nonresponsive, call 911.
  4. Stay with the student until help arrives.
  5. Document the date and time, any delegated or certified interventions provided, observations, student response to intervention (if applicable), and your signature and credentials (if applicable).
  6. Follow any additional school or program procedure(s).
  7. Debrief with the school nurse.