Case Study question for all oncology nurses

[Student35TN]

I'm working on a case study for school and I've hit a road block. I was hoping for a little nudge in the right direction.

In my case study I am an RN working in an outpatient Oncology Clinic. One of my clients comes in for her weekly chemo treatment. As I'm accessing her infussion port, she tells me that her niece recently moved in with her. She then tells you that her niece was recently diagnosed with TB.

Okay, for me the obvious thing is that my patient immune system is low as she is doing chemotherapy. My initial reaction was, tell her to find some where else to live and give her two masks; on for herself and one for her niece.

I have been unsuccessful in finding resources regarding chemo and TB exposure.

Any thoughts?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Yeah, someone getting chemo definitely shouldn't be living with someone who has TB.

[prowlingMA]

I believe they would definately be at risk for contracting and spreadingTB. Could be very bad ,especially for immune compromised pt or lung cancer pt.

[scma]

You are right on the mark. Your patient at anytime during her chemotherapy treatments can reach her nadir and be classified as neutropenic. Nadir is the lowest point the cell counts will drop. This potentially makes her body a magnet for bacteria. The niece and call but not visit until she is cleared by MD (through Chest xray).