Question

The complete blood count (CBC) results for a client receiving chemotherapy are hemoglobin 85 mmol/L (8.5 g/dL); hematocrit, 32%; WBC count 6.5 x 10 9/L (6500 cells per mm3). Which meal choice is best for this client?

A. Grilled chicken, rice, fresh fruit salad, milk
B. Broiled steak, whole wheat rolls, spinach salad, coffee
C. Smoked ham, mashed potatoes, applesauce, iced tea
D. Tuna noodle casserole, garden salad, lemonade

Answer 1

With a neutrophil count of 1900 cells per microliter, a patient's healthcare team would likely proceed with chemotherapy, as this count is above the commonly accepted safe threshold.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's neutrophil count is 1900 cells per microliter, and this is above the threshold that is generally considered safe (usually 1500 cells per microliter) to proceed with chemotherapy. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell (WBC) crucial for fighting infection. Chemotherapy can lower the WBC count, increasing the risk of infection. In this case, the count is within a relatively safe range, so the healthcare team would likely choose to proceed with treatment, monitoring the patient closely for signs of infection or further drops in neutrophil levels.