CBC in pneumonia typically reveals what in bacterial infection?

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Multiple Choice

CBC in pneumonia typically reveals what in bacterial infection?

In bacterial pneumonia, the immune system mounts a neutrophil-dominated response, so the most typical CBC finding is an elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis) with neutrophilia, often accompanied by a left shift (more immature neutrophils). This rise reflects acute bacterial infection and the body's effort to fight it. By contrast, lymphocytosis is more associated with viral processes, and a normal or decreased WBC can occur in some situations, especially in the elderly or immunocompromised.

In bacterial pneumonia, the immune system mounts a neutrophil-dominated response, so the most typical CBC finding is an elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis) with neutrophilia, often accompanied by a left shift (more immature neutrophils). This rise reflects acute bacterial infection and the body's effort to fight it. By contrast, lymphocytosis is more associated with viral processes, and a normal or decreased WBC can occur in some situations, especially in the elderly or immunocompromised.

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