Leukemia Basics
Leukemia is the uncontrolled production of these abnormal, immature blood cells.
What are white blood cells?
This rapidly progressing leukemia is the most common leukemia in young children.
What is acute lymphocytic/lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
A reduction in normal RBC production causes this common leukemia manifestation characterized by pallor, fatigue, and dyspnea.
What is anemia?
This common blood test may reveal abnormal WBCs with decreased RBCs and platelets.
What is a complete blood count (CBC)?
A patient with a critically low platelet count requires this category of precautions.
What are bleeding precautions?
Leukemias are classified according to whether they involve this myeloid or lymphoid precursor.
What is the stem-cell line?
This acute leukemia involves abnormal growth of cells that would normally become RBCs, platelets, and nonlymphocytic WBCs.
What is acute myeloid leukemia (AML)?
Petechiae, ecchymoses, epistaxis, and gingival bleeding result primarily from this hematologic problem.
What is thrombocytopenia?
This diagnostic procedure confirms leukemia by identifying excessive blast cells.
What is a bone-marrow aspiration or biopsy?
This intervention is the priority for a child with ALL and severe neutropenia.
What is implementing infection-control or neutropenic precautions?
Leukemia is further classified according to whether its onset is rapid or gradual using these two terms.
What are acute and chronic?
This leukemia is common among older adults and is frequently discovered incidentally during routine blood work.
What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?
Fever and recurrent infections in leukemia commonly result from a lack of these functional immune cells.
What are mature white blood cells or neutrophils?
Imatinib belongs to this medication class frequently used to treat CML.
What is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)?
The nurse should avoid IM injections, rectal temperatures, enemas, and suppositories in a patient experiencing this complication.
What is thrombocytopenia or increased bleeding risk?
These abnormal immature cells may crowd the bone marrow and decrease the production of RBCs and platelets.
What are blast cells?
The Philadelphia chromosome is present in most patients with this type of leukemia.
What is chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)?
Gingival hyperplasia in AML occurs when these cells infiltrate the gum tissue.
What are leukemic cells?
During this first phase of chemotherapy, high medication doses are given to eradicate leukemic cells and produce remission.
What is induction therapy?
A patient with leukemia has a platelet count of 18,000/mm³. Which nursing action should be avoided because it increases the risk of bleeding?
What is administering an intramuscular injection?
These two characteristics form the basis for the four major leukemia classifications.
What are the involved cell line and disease progression—myeloid versus lymphoid and acute versus chronic?
A 72-year-old patient has lymphocytosis, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, night sweats, and a strong family history of the same disorder.
What is CLL?
Headache, vomiting, and cranial-nerve palsies in a child with ALL may indicate leukemic involvement of this body system.
What is the central nervous system?
This subsequent chemotherapy phase eliminates remaining leukemic cells, prevents relapse, and prolongs survival.
What is consolidation therapy?
A patient beginning chemotherapy develops nausea, muscle cramping, dysrhythmias, hyperkalemia, and an elevated uric acid level.
What is tumor lysis syndrome?