RN ATI Pediatric Proctored Exam 2023 with NGN Related

Review RN ATI Pediatric Proctored Exam 2023 with NGN related questions and content

Which is the most definitive diagnosis of leukemia?

  • A. A detailed history that includes bone pain and recurrent infections
  • B. A lumbar puncture to ascertain if leukemic cells are in the cerebral spinal fluid
  • C. A CBC with differential to check the morphology of all the blood cells
  • D. A bone marrow biopsy will show an infiltrate of blast cells
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: A bone marrow biopsy will show an infiltrate of blast cells. A bone marrow biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing leukemia as it provides direct visualization of the bone marrow cells. In leukemia, there is an abnormal proliferation of immature cells called blast cells. Therefore, the presence of blast cells in the bone marrow biopsy confirms the diagnosis.

A: A detailed history may provide valuable information, but it is not definitive for diagnosing leukemia.
B: A lumbar puncture is more relevant for diagnosing central nervous system involvement in leukemia, not for confirming the diagnosis itself.
C: A CBC with differential can show abnormalities in blood cell counts, but it does not provide direct visualization of blast cells in the bone marrow.
E, F, G: No additional options provided.

In summary, the most definitive diagnosis of leukemia is confirmed through a bone marrow biopsy, which directly shows the presence of blast cells, distinguishing it from the other choices.