Quick answer to question, pls..

[tunafish1]

What is the sign of infection in a neutropenic patient ? Heat, redness, pus or difficulty swallowing.

Thank you :)

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Is this homework?

[msjellybean]

Is this for school?

Think about what neutropenia means, in terms of counts. And then apply that information to the typical s/sx of infection & how it may be altered.

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

sounds like homework....

Do we really need to come to your computer and press 'search' on your google tab?

[tunafish1]

Lol no.. Maybe I should have stated that I didn't want you to waste too much of your time answering not that I needed it in a hurry :)

I was part of a grievance proceeding and used this question as an example. I asked 5 oncology nurses this where I work and got the same answer.. Just checking here as professor says all five nurses and me are wrong.. That's all :)

[tunafish1]

Lol, you all are a tough crowd :)

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

Thanks for clarifying:D

[vanburbian]

All, any, or none. Neutropenic infections often have no symptoms aside from fever initially. What did your professor say? Or, your co workers?

[tunafish1]

I don't want to bias any answers here, but all oncology nurses said heat/temperature.

Professor says emphatically that it is difficulty swallowing.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Yes, you can get s/s of a 'typical' infection w/neutropenia.....

My ANC was extremely low....I ended up with otitis externa that went into cellulitis of my upper neck/jaw.....there was heat, redness, pain, and fever (103). The symptoms weren't as easily identifiable by me (so didn't know to ask one of the nurses to check-- it was the ear 'away' from the door, so not 'out there' and seen by someone who walked in the room) until my outer ear was swollen shut. Later, the ENT suctioned pus out once the swelling went down enough to get a look inside. I was already on vanc and gent when this occurred.

JME

[leslie :-D]

in a neutrpenic pt., the typical signs of infection are often absent...

r/t few wbc's circulationg.

here's a link from wiki, but your professor is correct.

suggestion? if you're going to contest an answer, have hard data in hand...

and not the word of nurses.

they'll want to see it in black and white.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutropenia.

leslie

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Perhaps I am missing it since I'm viewing this on my iPhone, but I didn't see anything in the wiki article that supports the professors answer of dysphasia.