A 62-year-old man receiving chemotherapy for acute leukaemia presents with fever of 38.5°C and an absolute neutrophil count of 0.2 × 10⁹/L. He appears...

Question

A 62-year-old man receiving chemotherapy for acute leukaemia presents with fever of 38.5°C and an absolute neutrophil count of 0.2 × 10⁹/L. He appears stable. According to Canadian practice, what is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Start broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics immediately

Answer

Observe without antibiotics because he is stable

Answer

Start oral antibiotics only

Answer

Delay treatment until blood cultures return

Answer

Give prophylactic antivirals only

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Febrile neutropenia

A 62-year-old man receiving chemotherapy for acute leukaemia presents with fever of 38.5°C and an absolute neutrophil count of 0.2 × 10⁹/L. He appears stable. According to Canadian practice, what is the most appropriate immediate management?