What condition is indicated by low levels of white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets in a client with SLE?

In a client with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), low levels of white blood cells (leukopenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia) can indicate an increased risk of infection. This association arises because a reduced white blood cell count compromises the body's ability to fight off infections, making the individual more vulnerable. In SLE, this hematological manifestation can be a result of the autoimmune nature of the disease, where the body may mistakenly attack its own blood cells, leading to their decreased production or increased destruction.

Moreover, an increased infection risk can result from both the condition itself and the immunosuppressive treatments often used to manage SLE. These treatments can further lower immune function, exacerbating the susceptibility to infections.

While autoimmune disorders encompass a broader category that includes SLE, indicating merely the presence of an autoimmune process does not specify the implication of low blood cell counts in the context of infection risk. The other options, like bone marrow disease and liver disease, could also cause low WBCs and platelets, but they do not directly explain the infection risk associated with these findings in SLE. Therefore, identifying the low blood cell levels in the context of SLE clearly points toward a