How does hypersplenism affect blood counts and what precaution is important after splenectomy?

• A. Splenic sequestration lowers circulating RBCs, WBCs, and platelets; splenectomy increases infection risk, so vaccinations are important
• B. Splenectomy has no impact on infection risk
• C. Hypersplenism increases RBCs
• D. Vaccinations after splenectomy are unnecessary

Answer: (A)

Hypersplenism traps and destroys blood cells in an enlarged spleen, so circulating red cells, white cells, and platelets drop. That means anemia, increased infection risk from leukopenia, and a tendency to bleed or bruise from low platelets. If the spleen is removed, those cells are no longer sequestered, and counts often improve, but the body loses a critical line of defense against infections. The key precaution after splenectomy is to ensure up-to-date vaccines against encapsulated bacteria (such as pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and meningococcus) to protect against serious infections. Vaccinations are essential because the absence of the spleen heightens the risk of overwhelming infections from these organisms.