Sickle cell crisis — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: A — Give oxygen if hypoxic, keep warm, provide strong analgesia and transfer for assessment

Give oxygen if hypoxic, keep warm, provide strong analgesia and transfer for assessment is the best answer because sickle crisis requires analgesia, warmth, oxygen when needed and assessment for acute chest syndrome. Use oral analgesia as the main treatment is less appropriate because oral therapy is inadequate or unreliable in major trauma; Provide reassurance and reassess after transport is less appropriate because reassurance is inadequate for an evolving major trauma problem. Defer treatment until a senior hospital doctor reviews the patient and Give unrestricted crystalloid to normalise blood pressure are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; NICE Sickle Cell guidance