Navigating Pain with Color: A Sickle Cell Pain Care Plan-Sickle Cell Disease Resource

Sickle Cell Disease Resource

Pdf Summary

This Sickle Cell Care Plan explains what to do based on pain level and symptoms.

For <strong>mild pain or when feeling well</strong>, follow the <strong>Green Zone</strong>: continue regularly scheduled sickle cell medication, drink at least one cup of water each hour while awake, and rest. Helpful comfort measures include warm baths or showers, heating pads, warm blankets, massage, deep breathing with an incentive spirometer, bubbles or a pinwheel, and activities like TV, movies, video games, reading, board games, or arts and crafts. Green Zone pain medicine may include over-the-counter options such as <strong>acetaminophen (Tylenol)</strong> or <strong>ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)</strong>. If pain worsens after an hour, seek further care.

For <strong>moderate pain</strong>, use the <strong>Yellow Zone</strong> and take prescribed breakthrough medicine such as <strong>oxycodone or morphine</strong> as directed. Continue Green Zone pain medication on a 24–48 hour schedule and begin or continue constipation medicine such as <strong>MiraLAX</strong>. If pain does not improve or gets worse, call <strong>954-265-2234</strong> and go to the ER. Pain should improve within an hour after Yellow Zone medicine.

The document also lists warning signs of serious complications. Call <strong>911</strong> for signs of <strong>stroke</strong> or a medical emergency, including bad headache, weakness on one side, facial drooping, trouble swallowing, unclear speech, seizure, or confusion/blurry vision. Call your doctor or <strong>911</strong> for <strong>blue lips or mouth</strong>, <strong>difficulty breathing</strong>, <strong>chest pain</strong>, <strong>fast heartbeat</strong>, <strong>fever/chills</strong>, cough or feeling out of breath, or fast breathing. Other symptoms needing medical advice include increased jaundice, headache, pallor, joint swelling, and a swollen or painful stomach with pallor.

Keywords

sickle cell care plan

pain management

green zone

yellow zone

acetaminophen

ibuprofen

oxycodone

morphine

stroke warning signs

difficulty breathing