Prophecy Emergency Department Registered Nurse (RN) Practice Test

In the management of a pain crisis associated with sickle cell disease, the priority intervention involves addressing the acute, severe pain that patients experience during such episodes. Intravenous morphine is a powerful opioid analgesic that provides rapid pain relief, which is essential during a pain crisis.

Sickle cell disease often results in intense and debilitating pain due to vaso-occlusive episodes. Therefore, the use of an intravenous route is advantageous because it allows for immediate onset of pain relief compared to oral medications. Morphine, being a controlled substance, has been well-studied and is effective in managing severe pain crises, making it the preferred choice in acute care settings.

Other options like oral acetaminophen and oral hydrocodone, while useful for managing mild to moderate pain, would not suffice to address the intensity of pain that a patient might be experiencing during a sickle cell crisis. Similarly, intravenous acetaminophen is not a primary choice for severe pain and is generally used as an adjuvant to opioid therapy rather than a standalone treatment for acute, severe pain scenarios. Thus, intravenous morphine stands out as the most appropriate intervention in this situation.