The term used to describe a decrease in the number of white blood cells is?

The term that describes a decrease in the number of white blood cells is leukopenia. This condition indicates that the body has fewer white blood cells than normal, which can compromise the immune system and increase the risk of infections.

Leukopenia can result from various causes, including certain medical conditions, medications, or treatments like chemotherapy that suppress bone marrow function. Understanding leukopenia is critical for medical technologists, as they often help in diagnosing and monitoring conditions associated with changes in white blood cell counts.

In contrast, leukocytosis refers to an increase in white blood cells, commonly associated with infections or inflammation. Normocytosis indicates a normal range of cell numbers, which does not apply in this situation. Anemia pertains to a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which is a different hematological condition altogether.