Sickle cell disease: health promotion and maintenance and the role of primary care nurse practitioners

Abstract

Purpose: To discuss the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) with regard to early identification of affected individuals, effective monitoring and screening, effective pain management and prophylaxis, and health education for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Data sources: Electronic database searches were performed using Medline, Cinahl, and PsycINFO. Data were obtained from medical textbooks, research, and review articles.

Conclusions: SCD is a chronic inherited disease belonging to a group of conditions called hemoglobinopathies. Individuals with SCD often require close medical care from specialists. Nonetheless, NPs are in ideal positions to facilitate the health promotion and health maintenance necessary to decrease the high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.

Implications for practice: NPs must understand the importance of early identification of affected individuals, effective monitoring and screening, effective monitoring and screening, effective pain treatment, and prophylaxis. The unpredictable trajectory of SCD can lead to frustration, fear, helplessness, hopelessness, and emotional distress. Ineffective pain management is a major problem for people with SCD. NPs can overcome this problem by initiating effective and prompt pain management in a nonjudgmental manner.