A 70-year-old woman undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer presents with a temperature of 38.5°C, rigors, and a heart rate of 110 bpm. She had chem...

Question

A 70-year-old woman undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer presents with a temperature of 38.5°C, rigors, and a heart rate of 110 bpm. She had chemotherapy 10 days ago. Her neutrophil count is 0.3 × 10⁹/L. What is the MOST urgent initial management?

Accepted Answer

Start empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g., Piperacillin/Tazobactam) immediately after blood cultures are taken

Answer

Send blood cultures and wait for results before starting antibiotics

Answer

Prescribe oral Amoxicillin and discharge home

Answer

Withhold antibiotics until the neutrophil count is confirmed to be

Answer

Prescribe Fluconazole for presumed fungal infection

uk-dgm MCQ (SBA): Neutropenic Sepsis - Emergency Management

A 70-year-old woman undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer presents with a temperature of 38.5°C, rigors, and a heart rate of 110 bpm. She had chemotherapy 10 days ago. Her neutrophil count is 0.3 × 10⁹/L. What is the MOST urgent initial management?