A nurse is conducting a health history assessment for a client newly diagnosed with leukemia. Which risk factor should the nurse prioritize when asking about the client's medical history?

A) This choice is incorrect because ALL does not result in the overproduction of red blood cells. It primarily affects lymphocytes, not red blood cells.

B) This choice is incorrect because ALL involves the overproduction of abnormal lymphocytes, not normal white blood cells. These abnormal lymphocytes crowd out normal cells.

C) This choice is correct. In ALL, the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes leads to the overcrowding of the bone marrow. As a result, normal bone marrow cells, including red blood cells, platelets, and other white blood cells, are suppressed, leading to various cytopenias.

D) This choice is incorrect because ALL does not cause the bone marrow to become fibrous and unable to produce any blood cells. That description is more characteristic of myelofibrosis, a different bone marrow disorder.

A) This choice is correct. A lumbar puncture is performed to assess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the presence of leukemic cells in cases where leukemia may have spread to the central nervous system. This procedure helps determine if the client requires specific treatment to target leukemia in the CNS.

B) This choice is incorrect because a lumbar puncture is not primarily used to evaluate liver and kidney function.

C) This choice is incorrect because measuring blood glucose levels is not the primary purpose of a lumbar puncture.

D) This choice is incorrect because determining the client's platelet count is not the primary purpose of a lumbar puncture. Platelet counts are typically obtained through a blood test.