Author Question: A 17-year-old patient with edematous lymph nodes and headaches is diagnosed with leukemia. The nurse ... (Read 96 times)

PhilipSeeMore · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A 17-year-old patient with edematous lymph nodes and headaches is diagnosed with leukemia. The nurse suspects that this patient likely has which health problem?

1. acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
2. chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
3. acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
4. chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Question 2

A patient diagnosed with leukemia says, If I have too many white blood cells, and white blood cells fight infections, why do I have to be careful not to be exposed to germs? What would be an appropriate response for the nurse?

1. With leukemia, you have the wrong kind of white blood cells.
2. That's not what leukemia is.
3. The white blood cells with leukemia aren't effective at fighting infections.
4. Your bone marrow can become infected.

vickybb89 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Lymphocytic leukemias infiltrate the spleen, lymph nodes, CNS, and other tissues. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in children and young adults. Chronic lymphocytic, acute myeloid, and chronic myeloid leukemias do not have these manifestations.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
The patient has a basic understanding of the diagnosis and simply needs clarification. Leukemic cells are not effective in the normal immune functions of white blood cells (WBCs), and that increases the risk for infection. The cells are not wrong but rather not the right type at the right level to fight infection. The risk is not of bone marrow infection but of overall systemic infection.