Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant (OMSA) Practice Exam

The main consequence of chemotherapy affecting white blood cells is an increased risk of infections. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also normal cells, particularly those in the bone marrow responsible for producing white blood cells. This results in a condition known as leukopenia, or a reduction in the number of white blood cells, which are crucial for the immune response.

With fewer white blood cells, particularly neutrophils (which are vital in fighting off bacterial infections), the body becomes less capable of effectively responding to infections. Patients undergoing chemotherapy may find themselves more susceptible to infections that they would typically be able to fend off, leading to significant health complications.

The other options are less directly related to the primary consequence of chemotherapy on white blood cells. Increased oxygen carrying pertains to red blood cells, hemorrhaging might relate to platelets, and hyperglycemia is more commonly associated with certain medications rather than the direct effects of chemotherapy on white blood cells. Therefore, the impact of chemotherapy on white blood cells predominantly increases the patient's risk of infections, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing this risk during treatment.