Final answer:
The most beneficial nursing intervention to reduce the flu-like symptoms following administration of CSFs is c. Administer acetaminophen q4h, as it directly addresses the cytokine-induced fever, chills, and headache.
Step-by-step explanation:
The administration of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) is common in cancer patients to boost their white blood cell (WBC) counts, especially when it is reduced due to chemotherapy. However, one of the side effects of CSF administration is that the patient may experience flu-like symptoms, which include fever, chills, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are part of the body's natural response to CSF because it can stimulate the release of cytokines, which in turn cause these flu-like symptoms.
When addressing the student's specific question about the nursing intervention that is most beneficial in helping to reduce these flu-like symptoms following CSF administration, the correct answer is c. Administer acetaminophen q4h. Taking acetaminophen every four hours helps to address fever, chills, and headache, which are common side effects from the cytokine response to CSFs. Monitoring lab values for an increase in WBCs and vital signs, or administering antiemetics are important, but they are not as directly effective in managing the acute symptoms of fever and chills as taking acetaminophen.