Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant (OMSA) Practice Exam

The blood component primarily affected by chemotherapy related to infection control is the white blood cells. Chemotherapy is known to have a significant impact on the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. White blood cells, or leukocytes, play a crucial role in the immune system by helping the body fight infections.

When chemotherapy is administered, it often leads to a decrease in the production of these cells, resulting in leukopenia, a condition characterized by low white blood cell counts. This reduction compromises the body's ability to respond to infections, making patients particularly vulnerable during and after chemotherapy treatment.

While red blood cells and platelets are also affected by chemotherapy, their primary functions—carrying oxygen and aiding in blood clotting, respectively—are not directly related to infection control as those of white blood cells. Clotting factors, meanwhile, are proteins in the plasma involved in the coagulation process and are not affected in the same manner by chemotherapy concerning infection control. Thus, the primary concern in managing infection risk during chemotherapy is the monitoring and support of white blood cell counts.