Which is most descriptive of the pathophysiology of leukemia?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Thrombocytopenia is incorrect as the primary pathophysiology of leukemia. While thrombocytopenia can occur in leukemia due to bone marrow crowding and decreased platelet production, it is a secondary consequence, not the main mechanism. B. Unrestricted proliferation of immature white blood cells (WBCs) is correct because leukemia is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of immature leukocytes (blasts) in the bone marrow. These immature cells accumulate and crowd out normal hematopoietic cells, leading to anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia, which cause the clinical manifestations of infection, bleeding, and fatigue. C. Increased blood viscosity is incorrect because this is more characteristic of polycythemia vera, not leukemia. Leukemia generally does not increase blood viscosity unless there is an extremely high white blood cell count in leukostasis. D. First stage of coagulation process is abnormally stimulated is incorrect because coagulation abnormalities may develop in some forms of leukemia (e.g., acute promyelocytic leukemia with DIC), but this is not the fundamental pathophysiology of leukemia.