Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) Metabolic/Inflammatory/Tumors Practice Exam

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Get prepared for the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board Exam. Study with multiple choice questions for metabolic, inflammatory, and tumor conditions in orthopaedics. Each question is crafted to enhance your understanding and readiness!

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Following chemotherapy for osteosarcoma, what hematopoietic change increases the patient's risk for infection?

Neutropenia
Leukocytosis
Thrombocytopenia
Anemia

The correct answer is: Neutropenia

Neutropenia is the correct answer because it refers to a significant reduction in the number of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell essential for fighting off infections. Following chemotherapy for osteosarcoma, patients often experience neutropenia as a side effect due to the myelosuppressive effects of the drugs used in treatment. Neutrophils play a crucial role in the innate immune response, particularly against bacterial infections. When their levels drop below a certain threshold, the body's ability to combat infections diminishes, thereby increasing the patient's risk for severe infections. Leukocytosis, characterized by an increased white blood cell count, does not inherently increase the risk of infection; rather, it often indicates an ongoing response to an infection or other stressors in the body. Thrombocytopenia, which involves low platelet counts, is primarily associated with an increased bleeding risk rather than infection risk. Anemia, a decrease in red blood cells, affects oxygen transport in the body and does not directly correlate with increased susceptibility to infections. Thus, neutropenia is a specific condition following chemotherapy that significantly heightens the risk of infection.