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5 Hemophilia Nursing Care Plans

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By Paul Martin, BSN, R.N.
Hemophilia Nursing Care Plans
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Hemophilia, an X-linked disorder, is a congenital inherited bleeding disorder of the clotting mechanism cause by an abnormal gene that produces a defective clotting factor protein with little or no clotting ability. The two most common forms of this disorder are Classic hemophilia (type A) which is caused by the lack of factor VIII and Christmas disease (type B) is caused by the deficiency in factor IX. Since both of these disorders are X-linked, the female is the carrier and the disorder is manifested only in males.

Hemophilia is classified into the following three groups, based on the severity of factor deficiency, mild (5-50%), moderate (1-5%) and severe (1%). Hemophiliacs are at risk for prolonged bleeding or hemorrhage as a result of minor trauma. Individuals with severe hemophilia, or less than 1% clotting factor, are also at risk to suffer from spontaneous bleeding without trauma or more severe prolonged bleeding after trauma. Bleeding can
occur at any part of the body. Hemarthrosis, or bleeding into the joint spaces, is the most common complication of severe hemophilia. The knee joint is the most frequent joint involved.

Nursing Care Plans

The nursing care plan goals for a client with hemophilia may include absence of complications and pain, prevention of injury and bleeding, improved physical mobility, and understanding of the disease condition and its management.

Here are five (5) nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for patients with hemophilia:

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  1. Acute Pain
  2. Impaired Physical Mobility
  3. Compromised Family Coping
  4. Risk for Bleeding
  5. Risk for Injury

1. Acute Pain

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Acute Pain

Nursing Diagnosis

May be related to

  • Hemarthrosis
  • Traumatic injury to muscles

Possibly evidenced by

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  • Verbal complaint of pain/discomfort
  • A feeling of stiffness
  • Tingling or aching in the affected joint, followed by a decrease in the ability to move a joint
  • Guarding behavior
  • Irritability, restlessness
  • Crying

Desired Outcomes

  • Client will experience decreased pain.
Nursing InterventionsRationale
Assess the location, characteristics, and rate of pain (use pain scale).Hemarthrosis (bleeding into joint) is the main manifestation of the disease. Common sites include the elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankle joints.
Assess for joint swelling and
ability to move affected limb.		Bleeding episodes should be managed at the onset of discomfort, which entails a deficient factor replacement.
Immobilize joints and apply elastic bandages to the affected joint if indicated; elevate affected and apply a cold compress to active bleeding sites, but must be used cautiously in young children to prevent skin breakdown.Immobilization promotes comfort and decreases joint damage; elastic bandage most often avoids muscle bleeding; elevation of affected extremity/  joint will minimize swelling; cold  application will promote vasoconstriction.
Provide bed cradle over painful joints and other sites of bleeding.Prevents pressure of linens on affected sites, especially joints.
Maintain immobilization of the affected extremity during the acute phase (24 to 48 hours); apply a splint or sling to the affected extremity if indicated.Immobilization of the affected joint helps to decreased bleeding and provide some relief.
Perform range of motion 48 hours after the acute bleeding episode and pain has subsided.Maintains optimal joint movement.
Administer medications as indicated.Acetaminophen (Tylenol), propoxyphene, corticosteroids, and codeine are given for pain management; NSAIDs such aspirin are contraindicated since they impair clotting and can cause gastric bleeding.
Administer factor VIII or other prescribed factor component immediately.Controls the bleeding that is causing the pain.
Educate child about cause of pain and
interventions to relieve it; how medications must be administered via per orem, while injections are not advised; to avoid taking aspirin or aspirin product for pain.		Promotes understanding of pain responses and methods to reduce it.
Instruct child to support and protect painful areas and in the importance of immobilization.Promotes comfort and prevents further bleeding into joints.
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1. Acute Pain

Recommended Resources

Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.

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See also

Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:

Other care plans for hematologic and lymphatic system disorders:

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Paul Martin, BSN, R.N.
Paul Martin is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing since 2007. Having worked as a medical-surgical nurse for five years, he handled different kinds of patients and learned how to provide individualized care to them. Now, his experiences working in the hospital is carried over to his writings to help aspiring students achieve their goals. He is currently working as a nursing instructor and have a particular interest in nursing management, emergency care, critical care, infection control, and public health. As a writer at Nurseslabs, his goal is to impart his clinical knowledge and skills to students and nurses helping them become the best version of themselves and ultimately make an impact in uplifting the nursing profession.
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