Pallor, shortness of breath, infection, bleeding gums, predominance of immature and abnormally functioning leukocytes, and low numbers of mature neutrophils in a young child may indicate a likely diagnosis of:
A) Sickle cell anemia
B) Hemostasis
C) Acute lymphocytic leukemia
D) Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
E) Hemoglobinopathy

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are all characteristic of acute lymphocytic leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Pallor and shortness of breath can be caused by anemia, which is common in leukemia due to the low numbers of red blood cells. Infection is a common complication due to the compromised immune system. Bleeding gums may indicate low platelet counts, while the predominance of immature and abnormally functioning leukocytes (white blood cells) and low numbers of mature neutrophils are hallmarks of leukemia. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin, and would not present with the symptoms described. Hemostasis refers to the process of stopping bleeding, but is not a diagnosis. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a different type of leukemia that typically affects older individuals and often has a more gradual onset. Hemoglobinopathy indicates a disorder affecting the structure or function of hemoglobin, but would not explain the range of symptoms described.

Pallor, Shortness of Breath, Infection, Bleeding Gums, Predominance of Immature