Question

A 30-year-old man with acute myelogenous leukemia develops an absolute neutrophil count of 850/µL while receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Which action by the outpatient clinic nurse is most appropriate?

a. Discuss the need for hospital admission to treat the neutropenia.
b. Teach the patient to administer filgrastim (Neupogen) injections.
c. Plan to discontinue the chemotherapy until the neutropenia resolves.
d. Order a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for the patient's home.

Answer 1

The appropriate action for the outpatient clinic nurse is to discuss the need for hospital admission to treat the neutropenia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate action for the outpatient clinic nurse to take when a 30-year-old man with acute myelogenous leukemia develops an absolute neutrophil count of 850/µL while receiving outpatient chemotherapy would be to discuss the need for hospital admission to treat the neutropenia. Neutropenia, which is a low neutrophil count, puts the patient at high risk for infections. Hospital admission would allow for close monitoring and administration of appropriate treatment to prevent complications.