Neutropenic fever is the most common and serious complication associated with hematopoietic cancers or with patients receiving chemotherapy regimens for cancer. Neutropenia is when there is a low number of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils usually make up 2/3 of all white blood cells and protect against bacterial infection. Febrile neutropenia refers to the occurrence of a fever during a period of the loss of neutrophils. Patients receiving chemotherapy are at higher risk because of the temporary reduction of white blood cells. Certain chemotherapy treatments are known to have a higher risk of febrile neutropenia than others as a result of their treatment. About 50% of febrile neutropenia is subject to change into an infection. Patients lose or have weakened immunity to fend off infections in this immunocompromised state on top of the chemotherapy. The host barriers, such as the mucosal lining in the gastrointestinal tract or the patients’ sinuses, may be damaged, leading to the host invading from an infectious pathogen. A complete blood count has the ability to determine what the neutrophil level. If there is an assumption that an infection is present, they need to do more tests as in; urinalysis, throat, and blood cultures to determine the source of the infection. If the patient has any respiratory symptoms a chest x-ray is necessary to rule out lung or airway infections. (Febrile Neutropenia, 2022).
Peds RN Febrile Neutropenia