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 chronic leukemia can affect both children and adults, not just children and young adults.

B) This choice is incorrect because chronic leukemia progresses more slowly than acute leukemia and does not typically require immediate treatment.

C) This choice is correct. Chronic leukemia is characterized by the overproduction of mature and functional white blood cells. Unlike acute leukemia, the abnormal cells in chronic leukemia are more developed and functional, but they may not function correctly, leading to an accumulation of these cells in the blood.

D) This choice is incorrect because chronic leukemia usually presents with milder symptoms compared to acute leukemia. Hospitalization is not typically required unless complications arise.

A) This choice is incorrect because leukemia does not result from an overproduction of platelets. Leukemia involves an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.

B) This choice is incorrect because leukemia is not caused by the body's immune system attacking healthy white blood cells. Instead, it involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells.

C) This choice is correct. Leukemia is characterized by genetic mutations in the bone marrow cells, particularly in the stem cells that produce white blood cells. These mutations lead to uncontrolled growth and proliferation of abnormal white blood cells, interfering with the normal production of other blood cells.

D) This choice is incorrect because an imbalance of red blood cells would not trigger the overproduction of white blood cells. Leukemia is specifically a disorder of white blood cell proliferation.