What lab result is typically seen in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

The presence of smudge cells on a blood smear is a hallmark laboratory finding in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Smudge cells are remnants of lymphocytes that have broken down during the preparation of the blood smear. In CLL, the abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes can lead to their fragility, resulting in these characteristic smudge cells appearing in the blood samples.

Analyzing the other choices, a high platelet count is not typically associated with CLL, as patients often experience thrombocytopenia due to bone marrow infiltration and disruption of normal hematopoiesis. The presence of blasts in the blood is more characteristic of acute leukemias rather than a chronic condition like CLL. Lastly, the Philadelphia chromosome is primarily linked to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and is not associated with CLL, which is defined more by its genetic and cellular characteristics. Therefore, smudge cells accurately represent a significant laboratory finding specific to chronic lymphocytic leukemia.