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In a child experiencing a sickle cell crisis, pain is the symptom most commonly observed. Sickle cell crises occur due to the obstruction of blood flow caused by sickled red blood cells, which can lead to ischemia and tissue damage. This pain, often referred to as "sickle cell crisis pain" or "vaso-occlusive crisis," can vary in intensity and may affect different parts of the body, such as the back, chest, abdomen, or joints.

The human body's response to the pain from ischemic tissues during these episodes can lead to significant discomfort, causing children to present with severe pain that requires medical intervention. Pain management is a critical aspect of treating a child in crisis.

While high fever, bradycardia, and constipation may be relevant in different medical contexts, they are not characteristic symptoms directly associated with a sickle cell crisis. High fever could indicate an infection, bradycardia is not typically a symptom of this condition, and constipation may occur as a side effect of medication or dehydration but does not directly relate to the acute pain experienced during a crisis. Thus, the pain clearly stands out as the primary and defining symptom during a sickle cell crisis.