A nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). During morning assessment, the patient asks why the provider mentioned being concerned about infection even though the patient's white blood cell count is markedly elevated. Which explanation by the nurse best addresses the patient's question?
- Leukemia causes the bone marrow to overproduce platelets alongside WBCs, which interferes with normal immune function.
- The high WBC count suppresses red blood cell production, which directly impairs the immune response.
- In leukemia, the elevated WBCs are abnormal, immature cells that cannot effectively fight infection, leaving the patient immunocompromised.
- The elevated WBC count causes the blood to become too thick, which slows circulation and reduces oxygen delivery to tissues.