A patient with long-standing bronchiectasis also has pneumonia. Which of the following hematology test results would be expected?
1) Decreased red blood cell (RBC) count
2) Decreased white blood cell (WBC) count
3) Elevated WBC count
4) Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit
A)1, 2
B)3, 4
C)2, 4
D)1, 3, 4

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

3) Elevated WBC count is expected due to the infection (pneumonia), and 4) Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit could occur due to dehydration associated with fever or less commonly, polycythemia secondary to chronic hypoxia.

A Patient with Long-Standing Bronchiectasis Also Has Pneumonia