Question

A home health nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving chemotherapy and has neutropenia. Which of the following foods should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?

A. Soft-boiled eggs
B. Brie cheese made with unpasteurized milk
C. Cold deli-meat sandwiches
D. Baked chicken

Answer 1

The best food option for a client with neutropenia receiving chemotherapy is baked chicken because it is fully cooked and presents a lower risk of infection than undercooked or raw foods. Soft-boiled eggs, unpasteurized cheese, and cold deli meats should be avoided due to the increased risk of bacterial infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The home health nurse planning care for a client who has neutropenia due to chemotherapy should include foods in the client's plan of care that are safe and reduce the risk of infection. Among the options provided, the most suitable choice is D. Baked chicken. This is because it is thoroughly cooked, which minimizes the risk of bacterial infection. Patients with neutropenia should avoid uncooked or undercooked foods, including Soft-boiled eggs, unpasteurized cheeses like Brie cheese made with unpasteurized milk, and unheated deli meats as in Cold deli-meat sandwiches, which can be sources of infection. A patient with a neutrophil count of 1900 cells per microliter is typically considered safe to proceed with chemotherapy as counts above 1500 cells per microliter are generally acceptable for treatment; however, individual treatment decisions should always be made by the healthcare team based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition.