The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child with leukemia who is having an oncological emergency. Which of the following signs and symptoms would indicate hyperleukocytosis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperleukocytosis, a leukemia emergency with white blood cell counts over 100,000/mm³, causes blood hyperviscosity, leading to venous stasis and microvessel occlusion by blast cells. This results in respiratory distress (from lung infarction or hypoxemia) and poor tissue perfusion (from impaired circulation), critical signs requiring urgent intervention like leukapheresis or hydration. Bradycardia and clear heart sounds don't fit tachycardia might occur from hypoxia, not bradycardia. Wheezing and diminished breath sounds suggest asthma or infection, not hyperleukocytosis's systemic impact. Fever and vomiting are non-specific and less acute here. Nurses recognizing these symptoms prioritize airway and circulation support, aligning with oncology's focus on rapid response to life-threatening complications in pediatric leukemia care.