Question

The nurse is caring for a client with leukemia. In assessing the client for signs of leukemia, the nurse determines that what should be monitored?

1.	Platelet count
2.	Bone marrow biopsy
3.	White blood cell count
4.	Complete blood cell count

Answer 1

Bone marrow biopsy

Blood chemistry and coagulation tests:

Bloodchemistry tests measure the amounts of certain cells and chemicals in the blood. A blood test showing an abnormal white cell count may suggest the diagnosis,but they are not used to diagnose leukemia.

Even though these findings may suggest leukemia, the disease usually is not diagnosed without looking at a sample of bone marrow cells.

To confirm the diagnosis and identify the specific type of leukemia, a needle biopsy and aspiration of bone marrow from a pelvic bone will need to be done to test for leukemic cells, DNA markers, and chromosome changes in the bone marrow.

Important factors in leukemia include the age of the patient, the type of leukemia, and the chromosomal abnormalities found in leukemia cells and bone marrow.