A student nurse is caring for a patient with community-acquired pneumonia.Which of the following lab results may be expected and would indicate a left shift in the differential?
A)The number of red blood cells is lower than normal.
B)The number of band neutrophils is higher than normal.
C)The number of eosinophils is higher than normal.
D)The number of basophils is higher than normal.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A left shift in the differential refers to an increase in the number of immature neutrophils (band neutrophils) in the blood. This is commonly seen in infections, such as community-acquired pneumonia, as the bone marrow produces more immature neutrophils to help fight the infection. A decrease in red blood cells (anemia) is not directly related to a left shift in the differential, while an increase in eosinophils and basophils may indicate other conditions such as allergies or parasitic infections.

A Student Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Community-Acquired