Leukocytosis

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Infection, inflammation, stress response, corticosteroids, malignancy, or tissue injury can increase WBC count.
• Elevated white cell count reflects immune or marrow response; trend and clinical context determine priority.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Assess fever, source of infection, pain, inflammation, medication history, and sepsis signs.
• Trend WBC differential with vital signs and cultures/diagnostics.
• Escalate leukocytosis with hypotension, altered mental status, high lactate, or organ dysfunction.

Complications

• Sepsis when infection-related
• Delayed diagnosis of malignancy
• Hyperviscosity in extreme leukemias

NCLEX cues

• High WBC is data, not a diagnosis.
• Bands/left shift can suggest acute bacterial response.
• Steroids can raise WBC.

Memory hooks

• Ask why WBC is high and how sick the client looks.

Labs / Diagnostics

• CBC with differential
• Cultures
• Lactate if sepsis concern
• Imaging by suspected source

Review notes

• Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.