The patient with acute myeloid leukemia asks why there are more white cells when the count is already high. The nurse explains that the leukemic cells:

• A. Are not as effective as normal white cells would be.
• B. Protect against infection.
• C. Attempt to take over the functions of red blood cells.
• D. Are produced by the lymphatic system.

Answer: (A)

In acute myeloid leukemia, the high white blood cell count comes from a rapid proliferation of immature leukemic cells in the bone marrow. These cells are not mature or fully functional; they can’t perform the normal duties of white blood cells, such as effectively fighting infections. So even though the number appears high, the immune system isn’t better equipped to handle pathogens because the leukemic cells are defective and crowd out normal immune cells.

The other options don’t fit because these leukemic cells do not protect against infection, they don’t take over the functions of red blood cells, and they don’t originate from the lymphatic system. They arise from the myeloid lineage in the bone marrow, not from lymphatic tissue.