Final answer:
The nurse should withhold IM injections in a client on chemotherapy in situations where the client has systemic disorders, is undergoing immunosuppressive treatments, or is in a critical illness state.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client is on chemotherapy, the nurse should withhold IM injections in certain situations:
- Systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, hepatitis, or HIV infection
- Immunosuppressive treatments such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, bone marrow ablation before transplantation, or radiation therapy
- Prolonged critical illness due to infection, surgery, or trauma in the very young, elderly, or hospitalized patients
In all these scenarios, the immune system is already weakened, and administering IM injections can further increase the risk of infection and complications. It is important for the nurse to assess the client's overall condition and consult with the healthcare team before administering any injections.