A nurse is assessing a client with suspected leukemia. Which symptom should the nurse prioritize to confirm the diagnosis?

A) This choice is incorrect because an elevated red blood cell count is not a typical finding in leukemia. Leukemia is characterized by the overproduction of white blood cells, not red blood cells.

B) This choice is correct. Leukemia is associated with an elevated white blood cell count, particularly an abnormal increase in blast cells, which are immature cells indicative of leukemia.

C) This choice is incorrect because an elevated platelet count is not a typical finding in leukemia. Leukemia is more commonly associated with thrombocytopenia, which is a decreased platelet count.

D) This choice is incorrect because the laboratory report indicating elevated levels of blast cells in the peripheral blood supports the suspicion of leukemia, not the blast cells' presence in the bone marrow.

A) This choice is incorrect because swollen lymph nodes are more characteristic of chronic leukemia, not acute leukemia like AML.

B) This choice is correct. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is commonly associated with enlarged lymph nodes due to the accumulation of abnormal lymphocytes in these areas. It is a slow-progressing leukemia and often presents with lymphadenopathy.

C) This choice is incorrect because while ALL may involve enlarged lymph nodes, it is more commonly associated with symptoms like fatigue, bleeding, and bone pain.

D) This choice is incorrect because while CML may present with enlarged spleen and liver, it is less likely to cause significant lymphadenopathy compared to CLL.