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Nursing 354 Leukemia Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. Which statement best describes leukemia?
A. A solid tumor arising from epithelial tissue
B. A malignant disorder of blood-forming tissues characterized by abnormal
leukocyte production
C. A benign disorder involving excessive platelet production
D. An autoimmune destruction of mature erythrocytes
**Answer: A malignant disorder of blood-forming tissues characterized by
abnormal leukocyte production
Rationale: Leukemia is a malignancy of the hematopoietic system that causes
abnormal production and accumulation of immature or dysfunctional blood
cells.
2. Which type of leukemia is characterized by rapid progression and
accumulation of immature blood cells?
A. Acute leukemia
B. Chronic leukemia
,C. Myelodysplastic syndrome
D. Aplastic anemia
**Answer: Acute leukemia
Rationale: Acute leukemias progress rapidly because immature, abnormal cells
proliferate extensively and interfere with normal hematopoiesis.
3. Which leukemia is most commonly diagnosed in children?
A. Chronic myeloid leukemia
B. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
C. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
D. Hairy cell leukemia
**Answer: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Rationale: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common leukemia in
children, particularly those between 2 and 5 years of age.
4. Which laboratory finding is most concerning in a patient with leukemia?
A. Hemoglobin of 13.8 g/dL
B. Platelet count of 240,000/mm³
C. White blood cell count of 7,500/mm³
D. Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
**Answer: Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia places the patient at high risk for
spontaneous bleeding and requires immediate precautions and monitoring.
5. Which symptom is most directly associated with anemia in leukemia?
A. Fatigue
B. Petechiae
C. Fever
D. Enlarged lymph nodes
**Answer: Fatigue
,Rationale: Reduced red blood cell production decreases oxygen delivery to
tissues, commonly causing fatigue, weakness, pallor, and dyspnea.
6. A patient with leukemia has a low neutrophil count. Which complication is
the priority concern?
A. Constipation
B. Infection
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperglycemia
**Answer: Infection
Rationale: Neutropenia significantly increases susceptibility to bacterial, viral,
and fungal infections.
7. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately in a patient
receiving chemotherapy for leukemia?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
C. Decreased appetite
D. Mild nausea after treatment
**Answer: Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
Rationale: Fever in a neutropenic patient may indicate a life-threatening
infection and requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
8. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient with severe
thrombocytopenia?
A. Use a soft toothbrush
B. Encourage vigorous flossing
C. Administer intramuscular injections routinely
D. Encourage contact sports
**Answer: Use a soft toothbrush
, Rationale: Soft oral care reduces trauma and bleeding risk in patients with low
platelet counts.
9. Which finding is commonly associated with acute leukemia?
A. Increased production of normal mature leukocytes
B. Bone and joint pain
C. Increased platelet production
D. Persistent hypertension
**Answer: Bone and joint pain
Rationale: Leukemic cell infiltration of the bone marrow can produce bone and
joint pain, particularly in children with acute leukemia.
10.Which diagnostic procedure is commonly used to confirm leukemia?
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
C. Pulmonary function testing
D. Abdominal ultrasound alone
**Answer: Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
Rationale: Bone marrow examination identifies abnormal cells and helps classify
leukemia and determine its extent.
11.A patient with leukemia has a white blood cell count of 2,000/mm³ and an
absolute neutrophil count of 400/mm³. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Place the patient on neutropenic precautions
B. Encourage fresh flowers in the room
C. Serve raw fruits and vegetables without washing
D. Encourage visitors with respiratory symptoms
**Answer: Place the patient on neutropenic precautions
Rationale: An absolute neutrophil count of 400/mm³ represents severe
neutropenia and substantially increases infection risk.
Nursing 354 Leukemia Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. Which statement best describes leukemia?
A. A solid tumor arising from epithelial tissue
B. A malignant disorder of blood-forming tissues characterized by abnormal
leukocyte production
C. A benign disorder involving excessive platelet production
D. An autoimmune destruction of mature erythrocytes
**Answer: A malignant disorder of blood-forming tissues characterized by
abnormal leukocyte production
Rationale: Leukemia is a malignancy of the hematopoietic system that causes
abnormal production and accumulation of immature or dysfunctional blood
cells.
2. Which type of leukemia is characterized by rapid progression and
accumulation of immature blood cells?
A. Acute leukemia
B. Chronic leukemia
,C. Myelodysplastic syndrome
D. Aplastic anemia
**Answer: Acute leukemia
Rationale: Acute leukemias progress rapidly because immature, abnormal cells
proliferate extensively and interfere with normal hematopoiesis.
3. Which leukemia is most commonly diagnosed in children?
A. Chronic myeloid leukemia
B. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
C. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
D. Hairy cell leukemia
**Answer: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Rationale: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common leukemia in
children, particularly those between 2 and 5 years of age.
4. Which laboratory finding is most concerning in a patient with leukemia?
A. Hemoglobin of 13.8 g/dL
B. Platelet count of 240,000/mm³
C. White blood cell count of 7,500/mm³
D. Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
**Answer: Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia places the patient at high risk for
spontaneous bleeding and requires immediate precautions and monitoring.
5. Which symptom is most directly associated with anemia in leukemia?
A. Fatigue
B. Petechiae
C. Fever
D. Enlarged lymph nodes
**Answer: Fatigue
,Rationale: Reduced red blood cell production decreases oxygen delivery to
tissues, commonly causing fatigue, weakness, pallor, and dyspnea.
6. A patient with leukemia has a low neutrophil count. Which complication is
the priority concern?
A. Constipation
B. Infection
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperglycemia
**Answer: Infection
Rationale: Neutropenia significantly increases susceptibility to bacterial, viral,
and fungal infections.
7. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately in a patient
receiving chemotherapy for leukemia?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
C. Decreased appetite
D. Mild nausea after treatment
**Answer: Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
Rationale: Fever in a neutropenic patient may indicate a life-threatening
infection and requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
8. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient with severe
thrombocytopenia?
A. Use a soft toothbrush
B. Encourage vigorous flossing
C. Administer intramuscular injections routinely
D. Encourage contact sports
**Answer: Use a soft toothbrush
, Rationale: Soft oral care reduces trauma and bleeding risk in patients with low
platelet counts.
9. Which finding is commonly associated with acute leukemia?
A. Increased production of normal mature leukocytes
B. Bone and joint pain
C. Increased platelet production
D. Persistent hypertension
**Answer: Bone and joint pain
Rationale: Leukemic cell infiltration of the bone marrow can produce bone and
joint pain, particularly in children with acute leukemia.
10.Which diagnostic procedure is commonly used to confirm leukemia?
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
C. Pulmonary function testing
D. Abdominal ultrasound alone
**Answer: Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
Rationale: Bone marrow examination identifies abnormal cells and helps classify
leukemia and determine its extent.
11.A patient with leukemia has a white blood cell count of 2,000/mm³ and an
absolute neutrophil count of 400/mm³. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Place the patient on neutropenic precautions
B. Encourage fresh flowers in the room
C. Serve raw fruits and vegetables without washing
D. Encourage visitors with respiratory symptoms
**Answer: Place the patient on neutropenic precautions
Rationale: An absolute neutrophil count of 400/mm³ represents severe
neutropenia and substantially increases infection risk.
