Question

A 58-year-old man with lateral knee replacement 7 days ago presents with fever and rigors. He looks unwell, BP 92/58 mmHg, pulse 124 bpm, temperature 38.9°C. He had chemotherapy 5 days ago for lymphoma; current neutrophil count is 0.3 × 10⁹/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Admit urgently and give broad-spectrum IV antibiotics within 1 hour

Answer

Give oral antibiotics and review tomorrow

Answer

Wait for neutrophil count to recover before starting antibiotics

Answer

Start prophylactic anticoagulation only

Answer

Discharge with paracetamol

Practice question

A 58-year-old man with lateral knee replacement 7 days ago presents with fever and rigors. He looks unwell, BP 92/58 mmHg, pulse 124 bpm, temperature 38.9°C. He had chemotherapy 5 days ago for lymphoma; current neutrophil count is 0.3 × 10⁹/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management?