A 58-year-old man with acute myeloid leukaemia received chemotherapy 7 days ago. He now presents with a temperature of 38.5°C, rigors and malaise. His...

Question

A 58-year-old man with acute myeloid leukaemia received chemotherapy 7 days ago. He now presents with a temperature of 38.5°C, rigors and malaise. His neutrophil count is 0.2 × 10⁹/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Start broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics immediately and arrange urgent admission

Answer

Start oral Amoxicillin and review in 24 hours

Answer

Observe in the day unit and repeat full blood count in 8 hours

Answer

Give Paracetamol and send him home with safety-netting

Answer

Wait for blood culture results before starting antibiotics

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

A 58-year-old man with acute myeloid leukaemia received chemotherapy 7 days ago. He now presents with a temperature of 38.5°C, rigors and malaise. His neutrophil count is 0.2 × 10⁹/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management?