Why are patients with plasma cell myeloma susceptible to infection?
a. Decreased lymphocytes
b. Neutropenia
c. Suppressed normal immunoglobulin levels
d. Both b and c
ANS: D
As plasma cells multiply in the bone marrow, normal hematopoiesis, including granulopoiesis, is suppressed. This leads to neutropenia. In addition, normal immunoglobulin (antibodies) is suppressed. Together these contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection seen in these patients.
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