Final answer:
CBC lab results vary depending on the condition: infections typically increase WBC count; steroid therapy for asthma can reduce WBC count and increase infection risk; viral meningitis may show normal or slightly elevated WBC; chemotherapy often leads to decreased WBC due to marrow damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interpreting expected CBC lab results in patients with various conditions such as infection, asthma on steroid therapy, viral meningitis, or those receiving chemotherapy involves understanding the effects of these conditions and treatments on the immune system.
For patients with infection, the CBC may show an increased white blood cell (WBC) count, indicating an immune response to the infection. Asthmatic patients on steroid therapy might have a reduced WBC count due to the immunosuppressive effects of steroids. This can also make them more susceptible to infections.
Patients with viral meningitis may present with a normal or slightly elevated WBC count, as viral infections may not elicit the same level of response as bacterial infections. Lastly, individuals undergoing chemotherapy often exhibit a decreased WBC count because chemotherapy agents can damage bone marrow cells, thus reducing the body's ability to produce new blood cells.