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LEUKOPNEA

Leukopenia is an abnormally low white blood cell count, which can result from reduced production or increased destruction of white blood cells. There are five main types of white blood cells that help fight different infections. Leukopenia can be caused by conditions like aplastic anemia, cancers, medications, infections, or deficiencies. Symptoms include fever, chills, and increased risk of infection. Treatment focuses on managing infections with antibiotics and stimulating white blood cell production with growth factors. Nursing care aims to prevent infections by maintaining strict isolation and aseptic techniques.

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279 views21 pages

LEUKOPNEA

Leukopenia is an abnormally low white blood cell count, which can result from reduced production or increased destruction of white blood cells. There are five main types of white blood cells that help fight different infections. Leukopenia can be caused by conditions like aplastic anemia, cancers, medications, infections, or deficiencies. Symptoms include fever, chills, and increased risk of infection. Treatment focuses on managing infections with antibiotics and stimulating white blood cell production with growth factors. Nursing care aims to prevent infections by maintaining strict isolation and aseptic techniques.

Uploaded by

daisy
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LEUKOPNEA

DEFINITION
• Leukopenia is an abnormal reduction of circulating white blood
cells, especially the granulocytes. The term leukopenia is often used
interchangeably with neutropenia.

• It may result from reduced production of white blood cells or


increased utilization and destruction, or both.
NORMAL WBC COUNTS

• For normal adult the WBC counts range between 4500 and 11000 per
cubic millimeter of blood.

• This is slightly higher in children.


TYPES OF WHITE BLOOD CELLS
TYPES OF WHITE BLOOD CELLS
• There are five types of white blood cells. Each helps to protect
the body from a different kind of infection:

• Neutrophils: These make up 55 to 70% of total white blood


cells. They help fight off fungal and bacterial infections.

• Lymphocytes: These are the second most common type of


white blood cell. They protect the body from viral infections.
TYPES OF WHITE BLOOD CELLS
• Basophils: These are the least common type of the white blood cells. They
are involved in inflammatory reactions to allergens.

• Monocytes: These are the largest of the white blood cells. They play a role in
fighting off bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They also help mend tissue that has
been damaged by  inflammation

• Eosinophils: These fight parasites and play a role in allergic reactions and
conditions, such as Asthma
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
•APLASTIC ANEMIA – A condition where the bone marrow doesn’t produce new blood cells

•AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS – Conditions that attack the white blood cells or bone marrow cells, such as
lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

•CANCER OR DISEASES OF THE BONE MARROW – Such as Multiple Myeloma, Leukemia

•CERTAIN MEDICATIONS – Medicines that destroy white blood cells are bupropion , clozapine ,

cyclosporine

•CANCER TREATMENTS – Including Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy and bone marrow transplant

•CONGENITAL CONDITIONS – Kostmann’s syndrome is a congenital disorder of the bone marrow


CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
•INFECTIOUS DISEASES – Such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis
•HYPERSPLENISM – When the spleen destroys white blood cells
•SEVERE INFECTION – An infection that uses white blood cells to fight infection faster than the body
can produce them

•VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES OR MINERAL DEFICIENCIES – Particularly vitamin B12, Copper,


Folate and Zinc

•AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS: Some of these kill white blood cells. Examples include  Lupus and
Rheumatoid Arthritis

•SARCOIDOSIS: A collection of inflammatory cells in the body .This is an overreaction of the immune
system. It can also affect bone marrow.
SYMPTOMS OF LEUKOPENIA

• No definite symptoms until pt becomes infected


• Fever 100.5˚F (38˚c)
• Chills
• Sweating
DIAGNOSIS

• History
• CBC with differential count
• Blood Culture
• Other investigations to find the cause
TREATMENT
Vary depending on what is causing leukopenia. Treatments include:

• DISCONTINUING TREATMENT THAT CAUSES LOW WHITE BLOOD CELL


COUNTS – Can include medications, Chemotherapy or Radiation (Reduce the dose)

• GROWTH FACTOR THERAPY – (G-CSF) Granulocyte Colony Stimulating


Factor. It increases the neutrophil production in bone marrow

• LOW-BACTERIAL DIET – A diet that minimizes exposure to bacteria -- such as


raw, unwashed products or undercooked meat

• MEDICATIONS – Antibiotics that fights the infection


DEFINITION
• Agranulocytosis, also known as agranulosis or
granulopenia, is an acute condition involving a severe and
dangerous leukopenia (lowered white blood cell count),
most commonly of neutrophils causing a neutropenia in the
circulating blood.
ETIOLOGY
• The exact cause is unknown
• It may be because of either
1. Decreased production of neutrophils or
2. Increased destruction of neutrophils
DECREASED PRODUCTION OF NEUTROPHILS
• Aplastic anemia
• Cancers, lymphoma and leukemia
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
ETIOLOGY
INCREASED DESTRUCTION OF NEUTROPHILS
• Hypersplenism
• Auto Immune Disorders
• Bacterial or Viral Infections
• Bone Marrow Diseases or Destruction
• Use of Drugs- Psychotropic Medicines, Anti Thyroid Agents, Anti
Coagulants And Antibiotics
CLINICAL FEATURES
EARLY SYMPTOMS ARE LATE SYMPTOMS
• Sudden Fever • Fast Heart Rate
• Chills • Rapid Breathing
• Sore Throat • Low Blood Pressure
• Weakness • Skin Abscesses
• Sore Mouth And Gums
• Mouth Ulcers
• Bleeding Gums
DIAGNOSIS

• • HISTORY COLLECTION AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION


• • BLOOD STUDIES
• Complete Blood Count ---Neutrophil Count will be below 500, and
can reach 0 cells/mm³
• • CULTURE STUDIES
• Culture of Urine, Blood And Ulcerative Lesion in throat are
positive for bacteria
MANAGEMENT

1. COLONY STIMULATING FACTORS:


Effective in increasing neutrophil production.
2. ANTIBIOTICS

Combination of broad spectrum antibiotics are usually administered


incase of viral and bacterial infections.
3. CORTICOSTEROIDS
Corticosteroids may be used if the cause is an immunological
disorder
NURSING MANAGEMENT
NURSING DIAGNOSIS

• • Risk for infection related to neutropenia


• • Knowledge deficit related to toxic agents that causes
agranulocytosis
NURSING MANAGEMENT
NURSING DIAGNOSIS

•Risk for infection secondary to impaired immunocompetence R/T decreased


WBC

NURSING INTERVENTIONS

•Through hand washing by everyone who enters pt’s room

•Allow no one with cold or sore throat to care for pt

•Care for neutropenic patient before caring other pt as much as possible

•Ensure room is clean daily


NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Change Water in containers -- O2 humidifiers
• Provide low microbial diet
• Eliminate fresh salads and unpeeled fresh fruits
• Provide total body hygiene daily
• Administer antimicrobials on time
• Maintain meticulous IV site care
NURSING MANAGEMENT

• • Monitor patients leukocyte count regularly


• • Maintain strict aseptic techniques during procedures
• • Maintain proper isolation of the patient
• • Administer proper antibiotics to the patient
• • Provide skin care and prevent dryness of the skin
• • Instruct to avoid acidic foods and alcoholic beverages
• • Provide psychological support to the patients
• • Encourage to avoid self medications

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