Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common cause of neutrophilia?

1. Viral infection

2. Bacterial infection

3. Iron deficiency

4. Low blood pressure

The correct answer is: Bacterial infection

Neutrophilia, which refers to an increased number of neutrophils in the blood, is commonly associated with bacterial infections. When the body encounters a bacterial invader, it responds by producing more neutrophils to fight off the infection. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response, particularly during the early stages of infection. This rapid reaction is part of the body's defense mechanism designed to identify and eliminate foreign pathogens. While viral infections can lead to changes in white blood cell counts, they typically cause lymphocytosis (increase in lymphocytes) rather than neutrophilia. Iron deficiency does not induce neutrophilia; instead, it often results in anemia. Low blood pressure can occur for various reasons and does not have a direct relation to neutrophil levels. Thus, bacterial infection is the primary stimulus for the increase in neutrophils, making it the correct response in this context.