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    Descriptions of leukopenia, its etilogic factors and predisposing factors..Pathophysiology, Diagnostic procedures, nursing managements, medical managements and nursing diagnosis...

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    Leukopenia or decreased White blood cells

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    Descriptions of leukopenia, its etilogic factors and predisposing factors..Pathophysiology, Diagnostic procedures, nursing managements, medical managements and nursing diagnosis...

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    11K views17 pages

    Leukopenia or Decreased White Blood Cells

    Uploaded by

    ChellB
    Descriptions of leukopenia, its etilogic factors and predisposing factors..Pathophysiology, Diagnostic procedures, nursing managements, medical managements and nursing diagnosis...

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 17

    LEUKOPENIA

    LEUKOPENIA
    (leukocytopenia or leucopenia)

    • A condition in which there are fewer


    leukocytes (White blood cells) than normal.
    • Normal WBC is 5500/mm3
    • It is results from neutropenia (diminished
    neutrophils) or lymphopenia (diminished
    lymphocytes).
    Neutropenia
    • It is a neutrophil count of less than
    2,000/mm3.
    • It is a result from a decrease production of
    neutrophils or increased destruction of these
    cells.
    • A patient with neutropenia is at high risk of
    having infection from both exogenous and
    endogenous. Endogenous sources are the skin
    and GI tract.
    Clinical Manifestations

    • No definite symptoms of neutropenia


    until the patient becomes infected.
    PATHOPHYSIOLOGY of
    Leukopenia
    Precipitating Somatic Mutations in DNA
    Factors:
    1. Exposure to
    Activate
    Radiation and
    oncogene/Deactivate
    certain chemicals. tumor- suppressor Gene.
    2. With leukemia
    3. HIV virus Malignant
    Transformation of
    Lymphoid stem cells
    Uncontrolled
    proliferation of
    lymphoblast in the bone
    marrow.

    Lymphoblast replace the


    normal marrow element.

    Decreased production of normal


    blood cells.

    Leukopenia (decreased leukocytes)


    Infection

    If not treated If treated

    Septicemia Prevention of
    complications
    Death
    Diagnostic Examination

    ●Culture of blood, urine, and sputum


    should be obtained, as well as chest
    x-ray.
    Medical Management
    ●Treatment of the neutropenia varies
    depending on its cause and severity. Drugs
    that may cause neutropenia are stopped
    whenever possible, and exposures to
    suspected toxins are avoided.

    ●Sometimes the bone marrow recovers by


    itself without treatment.
    ►Fever, the symptom that usually indicates
    infection in people who have neutropenia, is
    an important sign that immediate medical
    attention is needed.

    ►Growth factors such as G-CSF also called


    (Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors)
    which stimulate the production of white
    blood cells,when the cause of neutropenia is
    decreased production.
    ►Corticosteroids may help if the neutropenia is
    caused by
    an autoimmune reaction.

    ►Antithymocyte globulin or other types


    of therapy that suppresses the activity of the
    Immune system may be used when a disorder
    such as aplastic anemia is present.
    • To ensure adequate therapy against the
    invading infectious organisms, broad-
    spectrum antibiotics are initiated as soon
    as the samples for culture are obtained,
    although the medications may be changed
    after culture and sensitivity results
    become available.
    Nursing Management
    1. Minimize the risk of infection
     Sterile hand washing should be observed
    by all personnel entering the patients
    room and before any care episode
     Neutropenic patients should be nursed
    away from infected patients
     Special care should be taken during any
    invasive procedures
    2.Observing for signs of infection
    >Vital signs is monitored every 4 hours if
    infection is present or suspected
    >Observed for hypotension, altered
    respiratory rate, tachycardia, skin
    inflammation, cough, sore throat

    3. Provide patient education and support


    >Nurse should ensure that patients and their
    families are able to take adequate
    precautions to prevent infections
    >Patient should be taught to record their
    own temperature with a 24 hour contact
    number for hematology unit.
    >Advice maintaining a low microbial diet
    Lymphopenia
    • A lymphocytes count less than 1500/mm3.
    • It is can be result from ionizing radiation,
    long term use of corticosteroids, uremia,
    some neoplasms and some protein losing
    enteropathies (in which the lymphocytes
    within the intestines are lost.)
    Nursing Diagnosis
    • Activity intolerance related to Generalized
    body weakness as evidenced by
    restlessness, fatigue, and inability to do
    daily activities.
    • Impaired physical mobility related to
    decreased strength and endurance
    secondary to chemotherapy as evidenced
    by limited ability to perform gross/fine
    motor skills.
    • Risk for infection related to decreased
    WBC

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