A 58-year-old woman receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer presents with fever 38.5 degrees Celsius, rigors and malaise. Her neutrophil count is 0.3...

Question

A 58-year-old woman receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer presents with fever 38.5 degrees Celsius, rigors and malaise. Her neutrophil count is 0.3 x 10^9 per litre. Blood pressure is 95/60 mmHg and heart rate 120 per minute. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Start broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics within 1 hour of presentation

Answer

Observe and repeat blood tests in 12 hours

Answer

Start oral Amoxicillin and discharge with safety-netting

Answer

Give paracetamol only and await culture results

Answer

Delay antibiotics until oncology review the next day

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Neutropenic sepsis

A 58-year-old woman receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer presents with fever 38.5 degrees Celsius, rigors and malaise. Her neutrophil count is 0.3 x 10^9 per litre. Blood pressure is 95/60 mmHg and heart rate 120 per minute. What is the most appropriate immediate management?