Which interventions should the RN implement for the client with neutropenia?
Neutropenic precautions at home
- Stay clean. Wash your hands often, including before and after eating or using the bathroom.
- Ask others to wash their hands.
- Have safe sex.
- Avoid sick people.
- Avoid recently vaccinated people.
- Stay away from large crowds.
- Avoid animals.
- Prevent constipation.
What is neutropenia nursing?
Neutropenia is a decrease in child’s neutrophil count. While not being sufficient indication alone for hospitalisation, it is a common complication of the intensive antineoplastic treatment regimens used for children with oncological or haematological conditions and can lead to life threatening infections.
How do you test for neutropenia?
Your doctor can use these tests to diagnose neutropenia:
- Complete blood count (CBC). This test measures neutrophil counts.
- Antibody blood test. This test checks for autoimmune neutropenia.
- Bone marrow aspirate. This procedure tests bone marrow cells.
- Bone marrow biopsy.
- Cytogenetic and molecular testing.
How would you educate a patient about neutropenia?
Patients with neutropenia should be instructed to avoid exposure to people with respiratory tract infections. They should avoid overcrowded areas, and if their ANC is less than 1000/µL, they should wear a facemask in public places.
How do you care for a patient who has neutropenia?
These neutropenia precautions include:
- Good hygiene, including frequent hand washing and good dental care, such as regular tooth brushing and flossing.
- Avoiding contact with sick people.
- Always wearing shoes.
- Cleaning cuts and scrapes, then covering them with a bandage.
- Using an electric shaver rather than a razor.
What teaching should be included for a patient with neutropenia?
How is cyclic neutropenia diagnosed?
The diagnosis of cyclic neutropenia is often confirmed by blood work including measurement of an absolute neutrophil count that is less than 200/microL during periods of neutropenia on multiple days within at least 3 regularly spaced cycles. Genetic testing can additionally be helpful to confirm the diagnosis.
