Which one of the following is the main function of leukocytes?

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

Leukocytes, or White Blood Cells (WBCs), are the cornerstone of the body's immune system.
Their primary function is to identify, attack, and destroy pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
They also play a crucial role in removing dead cells, cellular debris, and foreign substances, thereby participating in inflammation and tissue repair.

Option A: Transporting oxygen is the primary function of erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells), which contain hemoglobin to bind and carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.
Option B: The blood clotting mechanism is initiated and managed by thrombocytes (platelets), which aggregate at the site of an injury to form a plug and start the coagulation cascade.
Option D: Absorbing nutrients is a function of the digestive system, specifically carried out by the epithelial cells (enterocytes) lining the small intestine. Blood's role is to transport these nutrients after they are absorbed, not to absorb them directly.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Function of Leukocytes (White Blood Cells) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) with a differential is a fundamental lab test that measures the number of each type of WBC. It is crucial for diagnosing conditions like infection, inflammation, allergies, and leukemia.
A high neutrophil count (neutrophilia) often points to a bacterial infection, while a high lymphocyte count (lymphocytosis) can suggest a viral infection.
What if? If a patient's WBC count is critically low (leukopenia), especially the neutrophil count, the priority nursing intervention is to initiate neutropenic precautions (e.g., reverse isolation, strict hand hygiene, avoiding fresh flowers/fruits) to protect the immunocompromised patient from life-threatening infections.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'leukocytes'.
Recall the common name for leukocytes, which is White Blood Cells (WBCs).
Access your foundational knowledge about the different components of blood and their primary roles.
Systematically evaluate each option against your knowledge:
'Transport oxygen' is the job of Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes).
'Blood clotting' is the job of platelets (thrombocytes).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 3 p. 113-115

E6 Physiology Review Sembulingam 5e p. 29-31

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 1 p. 75-77

Practise the full NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.