<p> Alms and intended learning outcomes </p> <p>The aim of this article is to educate nurses on the physiological, clinical and psychological aspects of sickle cell disease (SCD). After reading this article the reader should be able to:</p> ■ <p>Understand the inheritance of the disease and those whom it affects</p> ■ <p>Be able to differentiate between sickle cell trait and sickle disease</p> ■ <p>Understand the major complications of SCD</p> ■ <p>Understand the principles of clinical management</p> ■ <p>Identify the factors that precipitate a crisis</p> ■ <p>Fully understand the nature of the painful crises and the basic principles of management</p> ■ <p>Understand the psychosocial implications.</p>