In a case of a 13-year-old patient diagnosed with sequestration crisis, which finding is the most reliable indicator of improved outcome?

In the context of a sequestration crisis, which is a serious complication often seen in patients with sickle cell disease, the resolution of abdominal pain is the most reliable indicator of an improved outcome. This is because sequestration crises typically involve splenic sequestration, leading to the trapping of blood in the spleen, which can cause significant abdominal pain and discomfort.

When abdominal pain resolves, it suggests that the crisis is subsiding, the spleen may be regaining function, or there may be a decrease in the amount of blood trapped in the spleen. This resolution indicates that the patient's condition is stabilizing and is often linked to a reduction in complications associated with the crisis.

While the other indicators, such as pulse oximetry and hemoglobin level, provide important information regarding the patient's respiratory function and overall blood status, they do not directly reflect the specific complications associated with a sequestration crisis. Similarly, normal skin color may indicate adequate perfusion but doesn't specifically signify the resolution of the crisis. Therefore, improvement in abdominal pain is a critical and reliable indicator of recovery from the crisis in this scenario.