Due to nausea and stomach ache, a 6-year-old child is taken to the clinic by her mother. Despite having Down syndrome, the patient is overall in good health. Upon abdominal examination, the liver edge is shown to be 3 cm below the costal margin and the spleen tip to be above the umbilicus. A subsequent peripheral blood smear showed many lymphoblasts and a leukocyte count of 104,000/mm³. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia has been identified in the patient, and combination cytotoxic chemotherapy is being considered. Which of the above laboratory alterations is most likely to be observed in this patient after the start of treatment?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Due to the extensive lysis of tumor cells, patients with hematologic malignancies who have large tumor cell loads or quick turnover rates are at a higher risk for electrolyte problems after the start of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Patients typically experience increased lactate dehydrogenase, hyperphosphatemia, hyperkalemia, and hyperuricemia.

Due to Nausea and Stomach Ache, a 6-Year-Old Child Is