What is a potential outcome of splenectomy related to blood conditions?

The correct choice is thrombocytosis. After a splenectomy, the spleen's role in filtering and removing platelets from the circulation is diminished, which can lead to an increase in platelet counts. This condition, known as thrombocytosis, occurs because the body may produce more platelets while the spleen is no longer able to regulate their levels effectively.

In contrast, conditions such as thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), leukocytosis (elevated white blood cell count), and anemia (low red blood cell count) do not directly relate to the outcomes typically anticipated following the removal of the spleen. Instead, thrombocytosis is a more expected result, emphasizing how the body's regulation of blood cells can change with the loss of this organ. Thus, understanding the precise functions of the spleen in blood component regulation helps clarify why thrombocytosis can be a notable outcome of a splenectomy.