Question

A 4 y/o child is admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain. The mother reports that the child has been pale and excessively tired and is bruising easily. On physical exam, lymphadeopathy and hepatosplenomegaly are noted. Diagnostic studies are being performed because acute lymphocytic leukemia is suspected. The nurse determines that which laboratory result confirms the diagnosis?

1. Lumbar puncture showing no blast cells
2. Bone marrow biopsy showing blast cells
3. Platelet count of 350,000 mm3
4. WBC count 4500 mm3

Answer 1

The laboratory result that confirms the diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in the 4-year-old child is a bone marrow biopsy showing blast cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The laboratory result that confirms the diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in the 4-year-old child is 2. Bone marrow biopsy showing blast cells. ALL is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells, specifically the lymphocytes. Blast cells are immature cells that are characteristic of leukemia, and their presence in the bone marrow confirms the diagnosis of ALL.