Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

If a laboratory result shows leukocytes at a level of 10,500, how should a psychiatric technician interpret this value?

1. Normal

2. Slightly High

3. Very Low

4. Critical

The correct answer is: Slightly High

A leukocyte count of 10,500 is interpreted as slightly elevated. The normal range for leukocytes, or white blood cells, typically falls between 4,000 and 10,000 cells per microliter of blood. When the count exceeds this range, it indicates an increase in white blood cells, which may suggest that the body is responding to an infection, inflammation, or other stressors. Interpreting this value as slightly high means recognizing that it is not drastically above normal levels, but it is noteworthy enough to merit further investigation or monitoring. This understanding is essential for a psychiatric technician, as changes in lab values can be indicative of underlying health issues that may affect a patient’s mental health status or treatment plan. Overall, this context reinforces the need to consider laboratory values in conjunction with clinical observations and patient symptoms to manage care effectively.