Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Guide

Acute leukemia is primarily characterized by a high white blood cell count that is predominantly composed of immature cells known as blasts. In acute leukemia, the bone marrow produces an overabundance of these immature white blood cells, which leads to a significant increase in the white blood cell count. The presence of blasts is a key diagnostic criterion for identifying acute leukemia and differentiating it from other hematological disorders.

This laboratory finding indicates an aggressive nature of the disease, as these immature cells do not function effectively in the immune response compared to mature white blood cells. The accumulation of blasts can also impair normal hematopoiesis, leading to other complications such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and increased susceptibility to infections due to an insufficient number of functional white blood cells.

Other choices do not accurately reflect the typical laboratory findings in acute leukemia. High levels of infection-fighting antibodies are not a characteristic feature of this condition. While low platelet counts may occur in acute leukemia, it is not exclusively low and does not provide the definitive characteristic needed for diagnosis. High hemoglobin levels are also not associated with acute leukemia, as the disease usually presents with anemia due to the inefficient production of healthy red blood cells. Thus, the presence of a high white blood cell count with a