A nurse is caring for a client who has sickle cell disease. Exhibits For each client finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with sickle cell disease, iron deficiency anemia, or leukemia. Each finding may support more than 1 disease process.

Heart rate at 1000: Tachycardia (112/min) can result from anemia, which occurs in sickle cell disease, iron deficiency anemia, and leukemia due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. Joint pain: Common in sickle cell disease due to vaso-occlusive crises; not typically associated with iron deficiency anemia or leukemia. Respiratory status: Labored breathing and oxygen desaturation can result from sickle cell disease (due to anemia and potential acute chest syndrome), iron deficiency anemia (due to reduced oxygen delivery), and leukemia (if anemia or infection is present). Jaundice: Caused by hemolysis in sickle cell disease; not typical in iron deficiency anemia or leukemia. Ankle ulcer: Chronic leg ulcers are a complication of sickle cell disease; uncommon in iron deficiency anemia or leukemia.