The Hematologic System ATI Related

Review The Hematologic System ATI related questions and content

An 18-year old male patient presents with bruising, fatigue, and diffuse extremity pain. He is noted to be tachypneic and hypoxic and has a diffuse interstitial infiltrate on chest x-ray. CBC reveals a WBC count of 285,000/mm3 (85% myeloblasts, with monocytic morphology), hemoglobin of 7.9 g/dL, and platelet count of 36,000/mm3. What is the most likely cause of the infiltrate and respiratory symptoms and the most appropriate initial treatment?

  • A. Hyperleukocytosis; initiation of induction chemotherapy
  • B. Hyperleukocytosis; leukapheresis or manual exchange transfusion and initiation of induction chemotherapy
  • C. COVID-19 infection; convalescent plasma and prednisone
  • D. Pneumococcal pneumonia; vancomycin
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The patient's presentation with tachypnea, hypoxia, and diffuse interstitial infiltrate on chest x-ray suggests leukostasis syndrome due to hyperleukocytosis. The extremely high WBC count of 285,000/mm3 with myeloblasts indicates acute myeloid leukemia. Leukapheresis or manual exchange transfusion is needed to rapidly reduce the number of leukemic blasts in circulation to prevent complications like tissue hypoxia. Initiation of induction chemotherapy is essential for long-term management of AML.

Choice A is incorrect because induction chemotherapy alone may not rapidly reduce the WBC count in cases of leukostasis. Choice C is incorrect as the patient's clinical scenario is not consistent with COVID-19 infection, and convalescent plasma is not indicated for leukostasis. Choice D is incorrect as the patient's symptoms are not typical for pneumococcal pneumonia, and vancomycin is not the initial