BENCHMARK CJE (COMPLEX)
COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: SICKLE CELL DISEASE
QUESTION 1
What is Sickle Cell Crisis?
ANSWER
Red blood cells become SICKLE SHAPED, causing blood vessels to get
blocked and decreases oxygen to the tissues.
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Sickle-shaped RBCs are rigid and sticky, causing vaso-occlusion. This leads to ischemia, severe
pain, and organ damage.
QUESTION 2
What are the triggers of Sickle Cell Crisis?
ANSWER
• Dehydration
• Infection
• Cold temperature
• High altitude
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
These triggers cause RBCs to sickle by reducing oxygen or increasing blood viscosity.
Prevention focuses on avoiding these triggers.
QUESTION 3
What are the signs and symptoms of Sickle Cell Crisis?
ANSWER
Page 1 of 23
,• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Jaundice
• Low oxygen
• Fever
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Pain is the hallmark symptom due to vaso-occlusion. Jaundice occurs from hemolysis. Fever
may indicate infection.
QUESTION 4
What are the nursing priorities for Sickle Cell Disease?
ANSWER
• HYDRATION - Normal saline to reduce sickling
• Oxygen
• Pain management
• Warm compresses
• Treat infection (if needed)
*** AVOID ICE PACKS (vasoconstriction worsens crisis)
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Hydration decreases blood viscosity and prevents further sickling. Warmth promotes
vasodilation. Cold causes vasoconstriction.
QUESTION 5
How do you manage Sickle Cell Crisis? (Memory Aid: HIP)
ANSWER
H - HYDRATE: IV to decrease blood viscosity
I - INFECTION Control: Cultures and antibiotics if fever
P - PAIN: Opioids for pain management
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
HIP is a helpful memory aid. Hydration is number one priority because it addresses the root
cause of the crisis.
Page 2 of 23
, SECTION 2: PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE
QUESTION 6
What is Peptic Ulcer Disease?
ANSWER
Ulcer in the stomach caused by bacteria called H. pylori.
*** H. pylori burrows into the stomach lining, causes inflammation, and forms
the ulcer.
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Most peptic ulcers are caused by H. pylori infection or NSAID use.
QUESTION 7
What is the treatment for Peptic Ulcer Disease?
ANSWER
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) + Antibiotics
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Triple therapy includes a PPI plus two antibiotics (typically amoxicillin and clarithromycin).
QUESTION 8
Why do we give antibiotics and PPIs for Peptic Ulcer Disease?
ANSWER
• Antibiotics will KILL THE INFECTION (H. pylori)
• PPIs STOP ACID from irritating the ulcer
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Without antibiotics, infection persists. PPIs reduce acid production to allow healing.
QUESTION 9
Page 3 of 23
COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: SICKLE CELL DISEASE
QUESTION 1
What is Sickle Cell Crisis?
ANSWER
Red blood cells become SICKLE SHAPED, causing blood vessels to get
blocked and decreases oxygen to the tissues.
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Sickle-shaped RBCs are rigid and sticky, causing vaso-occlusion. This leads to ischemia, severe
pain, and organ damage.
QUESTION 2
What are the triggers of Sickle Cell Crisis?
ANSWER
• Dehydration
• Infection
• Cold temperature
• High altitude
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
These triggers cause RBCs to sickle by reducing oxygen or increasing blood viscosity.
Prevention focuses on avoiding these triggers.
QUESTION 3
What are the signs and symptoms of Sickle Cell Crisis?
ANSWER
Page 1 of 23
,• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Jaundice
• Low oxygen
• Fever
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Pain is the hallmark symptom due to vaso-occlusion. Jaundice occurs from hemolysis. Fever
may indicate infection.
QUESTION 4
What are the nursing priorities for Sickle Cell Disease?
ANSWER
• HYDRATION - Normal saline to reduce sickling
• Oxygen
• Pain management
• Warm compresses
• Treat infection (if needed)
*** AVOID ICE PACKS (vasoconstriction worsens crisis)
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Hydration decreases blood viscosity and prevents further sickling. Warmth promotes
vasodilation. Cold causes vasoconstriction.
QUESTION 5
How do you manage Sickle Cell Crisis? (Memory Aid: HIP)
ANSWER
H - HYDRATE: IV to decrease blood viscosity
I - INFECTION Control: Cultures and antibiotics if fever
P - PAIN: Opioids for pain management
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
HIP is a helpful memory aid. Hydration is number one priority because it addresses the root
cause of the crisis.
Page 2 of 23
, SECTION 2: PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE
QUESTION 6
What is Peptic Ulcer Disease?
ANSWER
Ulcer in the stomach caused by bacteria called H. pylori.
*** H. pylori burrows into the stomach lining, causes inflammation, and forms
the ulcer.
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Most peptic ulcers are caused by H. pylori infection or NSAID use.
QUESTION 7
What is the treatment for Peptic Ulcer Disease?
ANSWER
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) + Antibiotics
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Triple therapy includes a PPI plus two antibiotics (typically amoxicillin and clarithromycin).
QUESTION 8
Why do we give antibiotics and PPIs for Peptic Ulcer Disease?
ANSWER
• Antibiotics will KILL THE INFECTION (H. pylori)
• PPIs STOP ACID from irritating the ulcer
RATIONALE / EXPLANATION
Without antibiotics, infection persists. PPIs reduce acid production to allow healing.
QUESTION 9
Page 3 of 23
