Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

Which type of leukocytosis is typically seen in patients with viral infection?

1. Monocytosis

2. Neutrophilia

3. Basophilia

4. Lymphocytosis

The correct answer is: Lymphocytosis

Lymphocytosis is the type of leukocytosis that is typically observed in patients with viral infections. When the body is facing a viral infection, the immune system responds by increasing the production of lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell crucial for the adaptive immune response. Lymphocytes play a significant role in recognizing and attacking viral pathogens, making their elevated levels indicative of the body’s effort to combat the infection. During a viral infection, the relative increase in lymphocytes often comes at the expense of other types of white blood cells, like neutrophils, which are more commonly associated with bacterial infections. This distinction is important in clinical practice; observing elevated lymphocyte counts can help healthcare providers to infer the nature of the underlying infection. Additionally, lymphocytosis can also be present in certain chronic infections and autoimmune disorders, but its direct association with viral infections makes it a key indicator for clinicians.