What assessment finding would a nurse expect in a client with chronic myelogenous leukemia and splenomegaly?

In a client with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) accompanied by splenomegaly, the presence of left upper quadrant tenderness is expected due to the location of the spleen. The spleen is situated in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, and when it is enlarged—such as in cases of splenomegaly—it can exert pressure on surrounding structures and cause discomfort or tenderness in that area.

Splenomegaly may result from the accumulation of abnormal blood cells or other pathological conditions associated with leukemia, leading to the spleen being larger than normal. The left upper quadrant tenderness results from this enlargement pressing against the abdominal cavity and surrounding organs, which can elicit pain during palpation.

In contrast, the other assessment findings listed do not directly correlate with splenomegaly related to CML. For instance, right lower quadrant tenderness is more indicative of conditions affecting the appendix or bowel in the right section of the abdomen, while edema in the legs might suggest alternate causes such as heart failure or venous insufficiency. Similarly, abdominal distension could arise from various gastrointestinal or systemic issues, rather than being a specific indicator of splenomegaly in leukemia. Therefore, left upper quadrant tenderness is the most