| Abnormality | Description | Associated Diseases |
|---|---|---|
| Atypical lymphocytes Reactive lymphocytes Downey cells Turk cells | Lymphocytes, some with vacuolated cytoplasm, irregularly shaped nucleus, increased numbers of cytoplasmic azurophilic granules, and peripheral basophilia, or some with more abundant basophilic cytoplasm or grossly indented cytoplasm | Infectious mononucleosis, viral hepatitis, other viral infections, tuberculosis, drug (e.g., penicillin) sensitivity, posttransfusion syndrome |
Interfering Factors
Physiologic pediatric lymphocytosis is a condition in newborns that includes an elevated WBC count and abnormal-appearing lymphocytes that can be mistaken for malignant cells.
Exercise, emotional stress, and menstruation can cause an increase in lymphocytes.
Black patients normally have a relative (not absolute) increase in lymphocytes.
see Appendix E for drugs that affect outcomes.
Interventions
Pretest Patient Care
Explain test purpose and procedure.
Refer to standard pretest care for CBC and differential count. Also, follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed pretest care.
Posttest Patient Care
Review test results; report and record findings. Modify the nursing care plan as needed. Counsel the patient regarding abnormal findings; explain the need for possible follow-up testing and treatment. Monitor for lymphocytosis or lymphopenia.
Refer to standard posttest care for CBC and differential count. Also, follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed posttest care.
Clinical Alert
A decreased lymphocyte count of 500/mm3 (0.5 × 109/L) means that a patient is dangerously susceptible to infection, especially viral infections. Institute measures to protect the patient from infection
Subtopic(s):