Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Exam Script Comprehensive Study Guide

ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA EXAM
SCRIPT COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE

●● What is neoplastic expansion?
Answer: Overgrowth of abnormal cells.


●● What happens to normal blood-cell production in leukemia?
Answer: Production of red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets is
impaired.


●● What is the main difference between acute and chronic leukemia?
Answer: Acute leukemia is dominated by blasts/immature cells and has
rapid onset; chronic leukemia is dominated by mature cells and has a
slower onset.


●● What is the typical onset of acute leukemia?
Answer: Abrupt/rapid.


●● What is the typical onset of chronic leukemia?
Answer: Subtle/slow.


●● What are the predominant cells in acute leukemia?

, Answer: Blasts and other immature white blood cells.


●● What are the predominant cells in chronic leukemia?
Answer: Mature cells.


●● What is the WBC count in acute leukemia?
Answer: Variable; it may be low, normal, or elevated.


●● What is the WBC count in chronic leukemia?
Answer: Typically elevated.


●● Are anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia common in acute
leukemia?
Answer: Yes; anemia and thrombocytopenia are present and neutropenia
is present.


●● What is the usual anemia pattern in acute leukemia?
Answer: Usually normocytic-normochromic anemia.


●● What is organomegaly like in acute vs chronic leukemia?
Answer: Acute leukemia usually has mild organomegaly; chronic
leukemia usually has marked organomegaly.