Sickle cell anemia: an i.v. nursing challenge.

Patients with sickle cell anemia present a true challenge to an I.V. nurse's skill, but what is the reason for their difficult venous access? Is it the disease, its treatment, or both? The author will attempt to arrive at an answer to this perplexing situation. A review of the disease itself, the genetics involved, the pathophysiology, treatment modalities in the most frequently seen manifestations, and some possible answers to the problem are addressed.