During routine care, Francis asks the nurse, “How can I be anemic if this disease causes increased white blood cell production?” The nurse in-charge best response would be that the increased number of white blood cells (WBC) is:
A. Crowded red blood cells
B. Is not responsible for the anemia
C. Uses nutrients from other cells
D. Have an abnormally short lifespan of cells
Correct Answer: A. Crowd red blood cells
The excessive production of white blood cells crowds out red blood cells production which causes anemia to occur.
Option B: The increase in WBCs most likely caused the anemia.
Option C: The overcrowding of WBC pushes out the RBCs, thereby decreasing them and causing anemia.
Option D: The lifespan of WBCs is 13 to 20 days, while the RBCs live for approximately 115 days.