Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What is a common characteristic of leukemic patients?

1. Severe edema

2. Presence of immature white blood cells

3. High levels of red blood cells

4. Low levels of platelets

The correct answer is: Presence of immature white blood cells

A common characteristic of leukemic patients is the presence of immature white blood cells, also known as blastic cells. In leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive number of these immature cells, which do not function properly. As a result, patients often experience symptoms related to the insufficient production of healthy blood cells, leading to complications such as anemia, increased susceptibility to infections, and bleeding issues. The overproduction of these immature white blood cells can also disrupt the normal balance of cell types in the blood, further contributing to the systemic symptoms associated with leukemia. In contrast, severe edema might occur in other conditions but is not a defining feature of leukemia. High levels of red blood cells are not typical in leukemic conditions, as the disease often leads to anemia due to the overcrowding of abnormal cells in the bone marrow. Low levels of platelets can be a consequence of leukemia; however, it is not as definitive a characteristic as the presence of immature white blood cells, which directly indicates the disease's pathology. The presence of these immature white blood cells is a hallmark feature that distinguishes leukemic patients from those with other blood disorders.