Master Leukemia Assessment with Picmonic for Nursing RN

Leukemia is caused by a mutation of DNA in certain cells that result in immature WBCs in the bone marrow. A combination of environmental and genetic factors including chemicals, viruses, radiation, immunologic deficiencies, and oncogenes may lead to leukemia. Proliferation of immature WBCs leads to bone marrow failure as the blast cells replace normal bone marrow cells. The type of white blood cell affected determines the specific classification of leukemia.

Since leukemia leads to bone marrow failure, patients are predisposed to recurrent infections, because there is an inadequate production of normal bone marrow elements including lymphocytes. A lack of lymphocytes leads to immunosuppression and increases the risk of fever. The patient may experience chronic infections or recurrent respiratory infections.

Patients are predisposed to bruising, since there is an inadequate production of normal bone marrow elements such as platelets. Platelets are responsible for clotting. Patients with leukemia may develop thrombocytopenia and experience ecchymosis, or bruising.

As dysfunctional cells crowd out normal bone marrow cells, the patient may experience bone marrow failure and decreased platelet formation. Since platelets are responsible for clotting, prolonged bleeding is a symptom of low platelet counts. The patient may experience heavy blood flow from the gums or nose.

Patients are predisposed to anemia, since there is an inadequate production of normal bone marrow elements including red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, pallor, and dyspnea. Cardiovascular compensation may lead to cardiac hypertrophy and heart murmurs.

Patients with leukemia may experience generalized fatigue with progressive weakness. The decreased production of red blood cells in the bone marrow decreases the body's ability to transport oxygen to other cells for energy production. The patient may experience constant sleepiness known as somnolence. Since fatigue becomes tiresome, teach the patient about medications, self-care measures, and when to seek medical attention.

The disease process may cause anorexia and nausea resulting in weight loss. Patients with leukemia should be referred for nutritional consult in attempt to prevent weight loss (refer to the Picmonic on "Leukemia Interventions").

Patients with leukemia may experience bone pain as the blast cells proliferate and infiltrate the patient's organs. Patients with ALL and CML experience bone pain.

Depending on the type of leukemia, the patient's WBC count may be normal or high. Patients with leukemia may have a normal or elevated WBC count despite having low immunity against infections. Elevated WBC count is caused by the accumulation of immature and inefficient, white blood cells that interfere with normal organ function. As a general rule of thumb, chronic leukemias such as CML present with elevated WBC counts. Acute leukemias, however, have less characteristic hematologic changes.