A 77-year-old male is admitted to a unit with a suspected diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). When planning this patient's care, the nurse should be aware of what epidemiologic fact?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Five-year survival for patients over 75 years old is less than 2%. This is because older age is a significant risk factor for poorer outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) due to factors such as frailty, comorbidities, and reduced tolerance to aggressive treatments. Older adults are less likely to tolerate intensive chemotherapy and have lower overall survival rates compared to younger patients.
Choice A is incorrect because early diagnosis alone does not guarantee good outcomes in AML, especially in older adults. Choice B is incorrect because the five-year survival rate for older adults with AML is much lower than 50%. Choice D is incorrect because while pre-illness health may influence survival rates, age is a more significant factor in predicting outcomes in older patients with AML.