A known CML patient's blood is received in the lab for a routine CBC. The laboraty professional counts 55% blasts in the smear. The most likely reason for this occurrence is that the patient is in:

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of 55% blasts in the smear suggests that the patient is in a blast crisis, which is a rapidly progressing phase of CML characterized by a significant increase in the number of immature white blood cells (blasts) in the peripheral blood and/or bone marrow. In contrast, the chronic phase of CML is typically marked by the presence of fewer blasts and more mature white blood cells, while the terminal phase usually refers to a late stage of the disease that is associated with severe symptoms and a poor prognosis. The transition phase is not a well-defined term in the context of CML.

A Known CML Patient's Blood Is Received in the Lab