Which preventive measure reduces risk of sickle cell crisis?

• A. Limit fluid intake
• B. Avoid dehydration and extreme temperatures
• C. Withhold all immunizations
• D. Increase caffeine intake

Answer: (B)

Maintaining good hydration and avoiding extreme temperatures helps prevent sickle cell crises. Dehydration thickens the blood, increasing viscosity and promoting the sickling of red blood cells, which can trigger vaso-occlusion. Extreme heat or cold can stress the body and contribute to dehydration or vasoconstriction, both of which raise crisis risk. So staying well-hydrated and avoiding dehydration or drastic temperature shifts directly reduces the likelihood of a crisis.

Other options don’t fit as well because limiting fluids would worsen dehydration, withholding vaccines increases infection risk that can precipitate crises, and increasing caffeine doesn’t prevent crises and may worsen dehydration.