MENNONITE COLLEGE OF NURSING at Illinois State University

Nursing Care of Children- 317

Handout

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF LEUKEMIA

PROLIFERATION OF IMMATURE
WHITE BLOOD CELLS (BLASTS)
å / â / æ
BONE MARROW DEPRESSION / METABOLISM / æ
â / â / â / â / æ
WBC's
(decreased
immune
function) / RBC's
(decreased O2
carrying
capacity) / Platelets
(decreased
clotting
capacity) / Weight Loss / ENLARGEMENT OF ORGANS
INFILTRATED BY BLAST CELLS
â / â / â / å / å /
â
/ â / â
Bones / Spleen / Liver / Glands / Kidney
â / â / â / â / â / â / â / â
Fever, infection (especially pulmonary, urinary, rectal blood) / Weakness,
Malaise, Pallor / Increased bruising/ petechiae, Nose bleeds, Bleeding from gums / Bone pain, Migratory joint pain / Splenomegaly, Abdominal fullness / Hepatomegaly / Lymphadeno- pathy, Local tenderness / Kidney enlarge- ment, Usually no overt signs or symptoms

11/19/2011

Pathophysiology of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia