Question

question 82
a patient being treated for cancer has had chemotherapy within the past 2 weeks and comes to the primary care clinic with a fever of 38.5°c. what is the initial action?
obtain a stat complete blood count (cbc) with differential.
order a chest radiograph.
order blood and urine cultures.
prescribe empirical antibiotics.

Explanation:

For a cancer patient who has received chemotherapy within the past 2 weeks and presents with a fever, the initial step is to assess the blood cell counts. A STAT complete blood count (CBC) with differential can quickly provide information about white blood cell (WBC) counts (especially important as chemotherapy can cause neutropenia - low WBC count, increasing infection risk), red blood cell counts, and platelet counts. Ordering a chest radiograph (without knowing if there are respiratory symptoms first) or blood/urine cultures (which take time to process and results may not be immediate) are not the first - step actions. Prescribing empirical antibiotics without first assessing the patient's blood cell status (e.g., if the patient is neutropenic, antibiotic choice and approach may be affected) is also not the initial action.

Answer:

Obtain a STAT complete blood count (CBC) with differential.