Final answer:
In the context of chemotherapy, a patient with an ANC of 750/mm³ may have their treatment postponed due to increased infection risk, while a count of 1900 cells/µl is considered safe to proceed with chemotherapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Absolute Neutrophil Count and Chemotherapy
A patient scheduled for teniposide with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 750/mm³ is below the standard threshold for safe chemotherapy administration.
Typically, an ANC of less than 1000/mm³ is considered a high risk for infection, and chemotherapy may be delayed. In the scenario provided, where another patient's ANC is 1900 cells/microliter, his healthcare team would likely proceed with chemotherapy as this count is above the minimum threshold.
It indicates a lower risk of infection and sufficient marrow function to endure the stress of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy drugs like teniposide can cause a decrease in white blood cells, including neutrophils, which play a crucial role in fighting infections.
Thus, while determining if a patient can receive chemotherapy, the ANC is a critical value that helps to evaluate the patient’s capability to handle the treatment without excessive risk of serious infections.