Practice Question
A mother with sickle anemia asks the nurse why her child's hemoglobin was normal at birth and now the child has the S hemoglobin (sickle cell). Which of the following is an appropriate response from the nurse?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
At birth, a newborn has a high concentration of fetal hemoglobin in the blood, which over time, have been replaced by these abnormal hemoglobin cells
Rationale:
🔵 Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is the predominant hemoglobin in neonates, which has a higher affinity for oxygen and does not sickle.
🔵 As the infant grows, HbF declines and is replaced by adult hemoglobin types, including hemoglobin S in children with sickle cell anemia.
🔵 This transition typically occurs around 4 to 6 months of age, when the first signs of the disease may appear.
🔵 Sickle cell anemia does not manifest at birth because HbS is not yet the dominant hemoglobin.
🔵 Understanding this helps parents anticipate the timing of symptoms and underscores the importance of early screening and monitoring.
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This question is from RN ATI Pediatrics Simmons Bsn Exam I which contains 12 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Pediatrics
- Answer Choices: 4