Question

question 1 of 3
a patient is being tested for a hematological neoplasm. which finding(s) would be present in the patient if he or she tests positive for the neoplasm? select all that apply.

increased number of red blood cells
increased oxygen carrying capacity
increased number of platelets
increased proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes
increased leukocytosis

Explanation:

Hematological neoplasms (like leukemias, lymphomas) involve abnormal blood cell growth.

• Increased proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes: Lymphomas/leukemias often have abnormal lymphocyte overgrowth.
• Increased leukocytosis: Leukemias can cause high white blood cell counts (leukocytosis, often with abnormal cells).
• Increased RBCs: Some myeloproliferative neoplasms (e.g., polycythemia vera) increase RBCs.
• Increased platelets: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (e.g., essential thrombocythemia) can increase platelets.
• Increased oxygen carrying capacity: More RBCs would theoretically increase this, but in neoplasms, RBCs may be abnormal (so this is less typical, but if RBC count is increased, it could occur; however, the key pathological findings are the abnormal cell proliferations). But the main pathological findings for hematological neoplasms among these options are increased proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes, increased leukocytosis, and also sometimes increased RBCs/platelets in specific neoplasms.

Answer:

• Increased number of red blood cells (in some hematological neoplasms like polycythemia vera)
• Increased number of platelets (in some hematological neoplasms like essential thrombocythemia)
• Increased proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes (common in lymphoid neoplasms like lymphoma/lymphocytic leukemia)
• Increased leukocytosis (common in myeloid/lymphoid leukemias with increased white blood cells)

(Note: "Increased oxygen carrying capacity" is less specific as neoplastic RBCs may be abnormal, but if RBC count is increased, it could occur. However, the core pathological findings are the abnormal cell proliferations and increased cell counts of the affected lineages.)