Febrile Neutropenia

BC Cancer

• Inpatient and outpatient management

Febrile Neutropenia Assessment and Treatment 

• BC cancer guidelines on treating febrile neutropenia in adults with solid tumor and lymphoma

1. Patient FN, who is being treated under the BRAJACTT protocol for breast cancer, presents with an oral temperature of 38.3°C and ANC of 0.4x109/L. Does FN has have febrile neutropenia? 

a) Yes

b) No

2. Following initial presentation of febrile neutropenia, when should antibiotic therapy be initiated?

a) Within 30 minutes

b) Within 1 hour

c) Within 12 hours

d) Within 24 hours

3. The following are reasons to include IV Vancomycin therapy to febrile neutropenia treatment regimen EXCEPT?

a) Colonization of MRSA 

b) Severe mucositis

c) Suspected abdominal infection

d) Pneumonia

4. MA is a 65-year-old male being treated with LYACAL for lymphoma. His wife brought him into hospital after he measured a temperature of 38.7°C. He denies symptoms of infection. Relevant labs/vitals include the following: BP = 140/95mmHg, ANC = 0.4x109/L and does not appear to be dehydrated. Does MA require inpatient, or outpatient management based on his MASSC score? 

a) MASCC < 21 and therefore outpatient treatment 

b) MASCC <21 and therefore inpatient treatment recommended 

c) MASCC ≥ 21 and therefore outpatient treatment recommended 

d) MASCC ≥ 21 and therefore inpatient treatment recommended

5. The following are recommended treatment options for a patient being treated with febrile neutropenia in an outpatient setting EXCEPT? 

a) AmoxClav + Ciprofloxacin + Metronidazole 

b) AmoxClav + Ciprofloxacin 

c) Cefuroxine + Ciprofloxacin + Metronidazole  

d) Clindamycin + Ciprofloxacin