Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is an acute form of leukemia, which are classified according to the cell that is more in the bone marrow, which is the form lymphoblasts.
In case of leukemia occurred abnormal leukocyte cell proliferation, malignant, often accompanied by other forms of leukocytes than normal, excessive amounts, and can cause anemia, thrombocytopenia, and ends with death.
Causes of Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is unknown, but it is possible because of the interaction of a number of factors:
- neoplasia
- infection
- radiation
- descent
- chemicals
- gene mutations
Clinical manifestations
- Anemia: tiredness, lethargy, dizziness, tightness, chest pain.
- Anorexia.
- Bone and joint pain (bone marrow infiltration).
- Fever, sweating (hypermetabolism symptoms).
- Mouth infections, upper and lower respiratory tract, cellulitis, or sepsis.
- Skin bleeding (petechiae, ecchymosis atraumatic), bleeding gums, hematuria, gastrointestinal bleeding, brain hemorrhage.
- Organomegaly (hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy).
- Mass in the mediastinum (often in ALL cells T).
- Leukemia central nervous system: headache, vomiting (symptoms of increased intracranial pressure), mental status changes, particularly the brain nerve paralysis nerve VI and VII, focal neurologic abnormalities.
- The involvement of other organs: testis, retina, skin, pleura, pericardium, tonsils.
Nursing Diagnosis for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- Risk for infection related to the changes in red blood cell maturation, increased number of immature lymphocytes, immunosuppression.
- Risk for fluid volume deficit related to excessive output such as vomiting, bleeding, diarrhea, decreased fluid intake.
- Acute pain related to enlarged lymph nodes, secondary effects of giving antileukemic agents.
- Activity intolerance related to weakness, decreased energy sources, increase metabolic rate due to excessive production of leukocytes, an imbalance of oxygen supply to the needs.
