NURS235 Pediatric Oncology: Questions With Easy-to-
Understand Solutions
What is the definition of a "remission" from leukemia? Right Ans - 5% or
less of blastocytes (immature WBC) in blood, with reasonable numbers of
WBC, RBC, and platelets
Which type of leukemia is easier to treat? What kind of immature cells are
proliferated? Right Ans - ALL - lymphoblasts, which would normally
become lymphocytes, B and T cells
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Which type of leukemia is harder to treat? What kind of immature cells are
proliferated? Right Ans - ANLL - mostly meyloblasts, which would normally
become granulocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils
Acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia
What is the general nature of the course of leukemias? Right Ans - They
tend to be relapsing illnesses.
What are three characteristic of leukemia cells? Right Ans - 1. They
multiply rapidly - in the bone marrow
2. They fail to develop into mature cells
3. They are unable to function as mature cells
What are three main "causes" for leukemias? Right Ans - Genetic
predisposition
Chemicals
Radiation
How does leukemia usually present? Right Ans - flu-like
general malaise
bruising
nose bleeds
characteristic CBC is diagnostic
, What do initial leukemia lab results typically look like? Right Ans - WBC >
25,000 without associated infection
Many blastocytes - over 50% very bad
May have atypical lymphocytes
Decreased Hgb, Hct, platelets, RBC
What lab results are typically high for leukemia patients? Right Ans - WBC
Blastocyte percentage
What lab results are typically low for leukemia patients? Right Ans - H &H
Platelets (75-100K)
RBC
How is ANC calculated? Right Ans - (Segs + Bands) x WBC
e.g.
segs: 30% Bands: 3% WBC = 6,000
33% * 6000 = 2,000
What is normal range for Segs? Right Ans - 54-62%
What is a normal range for Bands? Right Ans - 3-5%
What is the ANC value an indicator of? Right Ans - The body's ability to
fight infection. It is an indication of the neutrophils on board.
Below what value for ANC is a patient considered neutropenic, and at an
increased risk for serious infection? Right Ans - Anything less than 500
What are the three categories of symptoms of leukemia? Right Ans - Bone
Marrow Depression - decreased RBC, WBC, Platelets
Increased metabolic rate
Enlargement of organs infiltrated by Blast Cells
What are 4 symptoms of Anemia? Right Ans - Pallor
Weakness
Low H&H
Lethargy
Understand Solutions
What is the definition of a "remission" from leukemia? Right Ans - 5% or
less of blastocytes (immature WBC) in blood, with reasonable numbers of
WBC, RBC, and platelets
Which type of leukemia is easier to treat? What kind of immature cells are
proliferated? Right Ans - ALL - lymphoblasts, which would normally
become lymphocytes, B and T cells
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Which type of leukemia is harder to treat? What kind of immature cells are
proliferated? Right Ans - ANLL - mostly meyloblasts, which would normally
become granulocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils
Acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia
What is the general nature of the course of leukemias? Right Ans - They
tend to be relapsing illnesses.
What are three characteristic of leukemia cells? Right Ans - 1. They
multiply rapidly - in the bone marrow
2. They fail to develop into mature cells
3. They are unable to function as mature cells
What are three main "causes" for leukemias? Right Ans - Genetic
predisposition
Chemicals
Radiation
How does leukemia usually present? Right Ans - flu-like
general malaise
bruising
nose bleeds
characteristic CBC is diagnostic
, What do initial leukemia lab results typically look like? Right Ans - WBC >
25,000 without associated infection
Many blastocytes - over 50% very bad
May have atypical lymphocytes
Decreased Hgb, Hct, platelets, RBC
What lab results are typically high for leukemia patients? Right Ans - WBC
Blastocyte percentage
What lab results are typically low for leukemia patients? Right Ans - H &H
Platelets (75-100K)
RBC
How is ANC calculated? Right Ans - (Segs + Bands) x WBC
e.g.
segs: 30% Bands: 3% WBC = 6,000
33% * 6000 = 2,000
What is normal range for Segs? Right Ans - 54-62%
What is a normal range for Bands? Right Ans - 3-5%
What is the ANC value an indicator of? Right Ans - The body's ability to
fight infection. It is an indication of the neutrophils on board.
Below what value for ANC is a patient considered neutropenic, and at an
increased risk for serious infection? Right Ans - Anything less than 500
What are the three categories of symptoms of leukemia? Right Ans - Bone
Marrow Depression - decreased RBC, WBC, Platelets
Increased metabolic rate
Enlargement of organs infiltrated by Blast Cells
What are 4 symptoms of Anemia? Right Ans - Pallor
Weakness
Low H&H
Lethargy
