Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPHON Practice Questions and Study Guide

Chronic Kidney Disease is not considered one of the acute complications of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Instead, it falls under long-term complications that can arise due to the ongoing damage inflicted on organs over time as a result of the disease. In SCD, patients experience a variety of acute complications directly related to the sickling of red blood cells, which can lead to blockage of blood vessels and subsequent pain crises, fever and infections due to increased risk of splenic dysfunction, and aplastic crises, which occur when there is a sudden drop in red blood cell production, often triggered by infections.

Recognizing that chronic kidney disease develops gradually as a result of cumulative effects from various factors, such as organ damage and impaired blood flow, it becomes clear why it does not fit into the category of acute complications, which are typically sudden-onset events. This distinction is crucial for understanding the management and treatment strategies involved in caring for patients with SCD.