Which vital sign change in a leukemia patient indicates a possible emergency?

A blood pressure reading of 88/50 indicates hypotension, which can be a significant sign of an emergency, especially in a patient with leukemia. This low blood pressure suggests that the patient may be experiencing shock, which could result from various factors such as bleeding, infection, or dehydration.

In leukemia, patients may have compromised bone marrow function due to the disease itself or as a result of treatment such as chemotherapy, which can lead to a reduced number of red blood cells and potential anemia. The body relies on adequate blood pressure to ensure that organs receive sufficient blood flow and oxygen. When blood pressure drops too low, vital organs may not function properly, leading to serious complications.

Furthermore, patients with leukemia are at heightened risk for infections and can also experience bleeding due to thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), further increasing the risk of emergency situations. Therefore, detecting critically low blood pressure in this population requires immediate assessment and intervention.