A 55-year-old man with acute myeloid leukaemia receiving chemotherapy presents with fever 38.5 °C and neutrophil count 0.1 × 10⁹/L. He appears unwell ...

Question

A 55-year-old man with acute myeloid leukaemia receiving chemotherapy presents with fever 38.5 °C and neutrophil count 0.1 × 10⁹/L. He appears unwell but has no localising symptoms. According to neutropenic fever guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial management?

Accepted Answer

Start broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics immediately

Answer

Observe without antibiotics until a source is found

Answer

Give oral amoxicillin-clavulanate and review in 48 hours

Answer

Withhold antibiotics because fever is likely due to chemotherapy

Answer

Start prophylactic antivirals only

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Febrile neutropenia

A 55-year-old man with acute myeloid leukaemia receiving chemotherapy presents with fever 38.5 °C and neutrophil count 0.1 × 10⁹/L. He appears unwell but has no localising symptoms. According to neutropenic fever guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial management?