Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) Practice Exam

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What could the differential blood count indicate if neutrophils are at 90% and lymphocytes at 60%?

  1. Sepsis

  2. Viral infection

  3. Chronic bacterial infection

  4. Both viral infection and acute suppurative infection

The correct answer is: Both viral infection and acute suppurative infection

The differential blood count showing neutrophils at 90% and lymphocytes at 60% suggests a complex situation that includes both elements indicative of an acute response and a potential viral influence. Neutrophils are often elevated in response to acute bacterial infections or inflammatory processes, while lymphocytes typically represent the body’s immune response to viral infections. In this scenario, the high percentage of neutrophils indicates a significant acute inflammatory response, which aligns with the body's reaction to acute suppurative (pus-forming) infections, commonly seen with bacterial infections. At the same time, an elevated percentage of lymphocytes could also signify a concurrent viral infection. In some cases, the body may experience both bacterial and viral infections simultaneously, which can lead to this lab finding. Therefore, the result highlights the possibility of an acute suppurative infection along with a viral element, making the combined interpretation essential for diagnosis and management. This dual interpretation supports the conclusion that both a viral infection and an acute bacterial infection may be present, which explains why the selected answer encompasses both possibilities effectively.