Question

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client and notes a WBC count of 3,600/mm^3. The nurse should identify this result as an indication of which of the following conditions?

A) Leukoplakia
B) Leukemia
C) Leukocytosis
D) Leukopenia

Answer 1

A WBC count of 3,600/mm^3 in a patient's lab results indicates leukopenia, a condition characterized by a low white blood cell count, leading to an increased risk of infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse reviewing a client's laboratory results that show a WBC count of 3,600/mm3 should identify this result as an indication of leukopenia. Leukopenia is defined as a condition where too few leukocytes (white blood cells) are produced, potentially leaving an individual more susceptible to infections and disease. High WBC counts indicate leukocytosis, which may also compromise an individual's immune response even if the count is high because the cells may be nonfunctional. Since the WBC count in this case is below the standard reference range for a healthy adult (typically around 4,500 to 11,000 WBCs per microliter), leukopenia is the correct identification.