Which of the following WBC would most likely be increased above normal levels in a patient with an acute bacterial infection?

In the context of an acute bacterial infection, neutrophils play a crucial role in the body's immune response. When the body encounters bacterial pathogens, neutrophils are the first line of defense, often responding rapidly to infections. An increased level of neutrophils, a condition known as neutrophilia, is commonly observed during such infections as these cells work to engulf and destroy the invading bacteria.

Eosinophils and basophils play roles in allergic reactions and parasitic infections rather than acute bacterial infections, which is why their levels are typically not elevated in this scenario. Lymphocytes are primarily involved in viral infections and chronic bacterial infections, and while they can be elevated in some bacterial cases, their increase is less characteristic of an acute bacterial infection compared to neutrophils.

Thus, an increase in neutrophils is the most indicative response to an acute bacterial infection, making it the correct choice for this question.