A 67-year-old woman with breast cancer on chemotherapy presents with a temperature of 38.5°C and feels unwell. Her neutrophil count that morning was 0...

Question

A 67-year-old woman with breast cancer on chemotherapy presents with a temperature of 38.5°C and feels unwell. Her neutrophil count that morning was 0.3 × 10^9/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Urgent broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and hospital admission as neutropenic sepsis

Answer

Start oral antibiotics and review in 48 hours

Answer

Advise Paracetamol only and discharge

Answer

Wait for blood culture results before starting antibiotics

Answer

Discontinue chemotherapy and arrange routine clinic review

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

A 67-year-old woman with breast cancer on chemotherapy presents with a temperature of 38.5°C and feels unwell. Her neutrophil count that morning was 0.3 × 10^9/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management?