Analysis of a case study on sickle cell anaemia: Risk factors, pathophysiology, physical and psychological challenges, and nursing care plan

Running head- NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Analysis of a case study
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
The essay deals with case study that involves a female patient, Jane (pseudonym) who
had been diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia, at the age of 6 years. The patient is a Black British
and is 38 years old. The analysis of the case study will illustrate on the underlying risk factors
that contribute to the disease. It will further elaborate on the pathophysiology of sickle cell
anaemia the physical and psychological challenges faced by the patients and will discuss an
intensive nursing and medical care plan that will work towards providing optimal health
outcomes to the patient. Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood disorder that results in an
abnormality in the capacity of haemoglobin to carry oxygen. The disease is characterised by the
formation of rigid and sickle shaped red blood cells (Ware et al. 2017). It generally occurs when
2 abnormal copies of haemoglobin are inherited from each parent. It is estimated that sickle cell
anaemia approximately affects 12,500-15,000 people, in the UK. According to the National
Health Service, approximately 731,000 women were screened for sickle cell anaemia and
thalassaemia in England, during 2013-14 (NHS 2015). Furthermore, 668,000 infants were also
screened for the two diseases.
Around 12,500 individuals with SCD live in England. Of them, an estimated 9,000
people are residents of London. Therefore, the current statistics state that 1 in every 2,000 babies
in England are born with the condition (NHS 2015). Approximately, 3-5 million people are
globally affected by the disease and there are more than 300,000 births of babies, suffering from
sickle cell anaemia, every year. More than 70% of the births occur in the African continent ( Piel
et al. 2013). Most commonly, individuals with a North-American origin are considered to be at
an increased risk of suffering from the blood disorder.
Research evidences and statistics state that the sickle cell traits are carried by an
estimated 300 million people all over the world. The highest prevalence of these traits is found in

2NURSING ASSIGNMENT
the Mediterranean and African regions. Migration of individuals from Asia, Africa and the West
Indies to England, during the early 1950s may be attributed to the increased prevalence of the
disease in the UK. In addition, 33% people in West Africa are affected with this disorder
(Cdc.gov 2017). Thus, sickle cell anaemia is considered as the most common genetic disorder in
England. It also contributes to the most common reasons for hospitalisations.
The most common symptoms manifested by the disease include breaking apart and death
of the sickle shaped cells, periodic episodes of pain, commonly referred to as crisis and painful
swelling of the feet and hands. People with sickle cell anaemia often experience pain due to
blockage of blood flow in the vessels that reach the abdomen, chest and joints. Other symptoms
are associated with frequent infections that occur due to damage of the spleen (Ballas, Gupta and
Adams-Graves 2012). This increases the likelihood of suffering from a range of infections. A
reduction in the amount of red blood cells results in delayed growth among infants and teenagers.
Furthermore, the sickle shaped red blood cells plug the blood vessels in the eyes and may also
result in retinal impairment.
Confidentiality statement
The NMC Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses and midwives
states that it is the utmost duty of all healthcare professionals to protect the interest of their
patients, regardless of their gender, age, culture, political and religious beliefs. The case study
analysis will show accordance to this code of conduct and will respect the privacy of the
concerned individual in all aspects (NMC 2017). It will be ensured that all information that are
relevant to the clinical study, such as, the name, and location of residence of the patient are kept
private. Necessary clinical information will be shared by maintaining anonymity.

3NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Case study
A female patient Jane (pseudonym), had been diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia since
she was a child. The real identity of the patient will not be disclosed, in conformity with the
codes of practice, proposed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 2017). She is a 38
years old Black British. She had been screened positive for sickle cell anaemia when she was 6
years old. Jane is a single mother to a 6 year old girl. She is a graduate in Computer Science and
has been working as an IT engineer, in the city, for more than 5 years. She lives along with her
daughter and her younger sister. Frequent hospitalisations increased her absence from the
workplace and resulted in her termination from the job, 2 months ago.
A conversation with Jane revealed that she was published by her school teacher for being
late to school, when she was 6 years old. On receiving the punishment, she collapsed and was
rushed to the hospital. She was subjected to a series of blood tests by specialist doctors, and was
diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia. This news saddened the family members. She remembers
experiencing severe pain in her legs, hands and the abdomen. Jane recently complained of severe
pain in her chest, joints and back. Her sister immediately called for an ambulance and she was
rushed to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at the nearest hospital. She also
suffers from arthritis in the left knee and dyspnea. Her past medical history includes episodes of
depression and abdominal pain. She is also under penicillin, codein, folic acid and ibuprofen
medications.
Pathophysiology
Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited, autosomal recessive disorder that occurs due to
mutations in β-globin gene. The sixth amino acid glutamic acid gets replaced by valine, as a