Question

A 55-year-old woman receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer presents to the emergency department with a temperature of 38.6°C, heart rate 112 beats/min and feeling generally unwell. Her neutrophil count is 0.3 × 10⁹/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Admit and start broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics within 1 hour

Answer

Discharge with oral paracetamol and GP follow-up

Answer

Give oral antibiotics and review in 48 hours

Answer

Delay antibiotics until culture results are available

Answer

Start prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin only

Practice question

A 55-year-old woman receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer presents to the emergency department with a temperature of 38.6°C, heart rate 112 beats/min and feeling generally unwell. Her neutrophil count is 0.3 × 10⁹/L. What is the most appropriate immediate management?