Author Question: How does the white blood cell count respond during an acute infection in an older adult? a. No ... (Read 62 times)

shofmannx20 · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

How does the white blood cell count respond during an acute infection in an older adult?

a. No change in the white blood cell count
b. Similar to the white blood cell response of a younger person
c. Dramatic white blood cell count elevation
d. Slight decrease in white blood cell count

Question 2

The decrease in white blood cell counts for an older adult being treated for lung cancer is probably related to

a. Suppression of bone marrow production of white blood cells by chemotherapy drugs
b. An infectious process related to the older adult's immunocompromised status
c. Excessive stress in dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer
d. Tissue inflammation from radiation therapy

princessflame2016 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Often, infectious processes are missed in older adults because they do not have the typical white blood cell elevation of a younger person during infections. Response B is incorrect because the white blood cell response is not the same as a younger person. Responses C and D are also incorrect. There is not a dramatic elevation, but there is usually not a decrease in white blood cell counts.

Answer to Question 2

A
Radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer can cause depression of the ability of bone marrow to manufacture white blood cells. Infection (response B) generally causes an elevation in the number of white blood cells; however, in an immunocompromised older adult, there may be no elevation. The number of white blood cells increases in response to inflammation (D). Stress (C) generally increases the white blood cell count.