Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The type of crisis characterized by the blockage of blood vessels by sickled red blood cells, leading to ischemic pain, is accurately described by the term "Pain Crisis." In individuals with sickle cell disease, sickled red blood cells can become trapped in small blood vessels, causing a reduction in blood flow to certain areas of the body. This results in localized pain due to ischemia, which is often referred to as a pain crisis or vaso-occlusive crisis. Patients typically experience episodes of severe pain that can last for hours or days, and these crises are one of the hallmark symptoms of sickle cell disease.

Other options refer to different complications associated with sickle cell disease. Acute chest syndrome involves a specific respiratory crisis that can occur as a result of thrombosis in lung vasculature, while splenic sequestration refers to the pooling of blood in the spleen leading to acute anemia. Aplastic crisis is characterized by a sudden reduction in red blood cell production, often triggered by infection, particularly with parvovirus B19. Each of these conditions presents with unique challenges, but they do not specifically relate to the vascular blockage and ischemic pain characterizing a pain crisis.