Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on nursing intervention for a client with an absolute neutrophil count of 381 cells/uL. Can you figure it out?
The nurse is caring for a client recently admitted with an absolute neutrophil count of 381 cells/uL. Which nursing intervention should be implemented first?
A. Administer the prescribed hematopoietic growth factor
B. Move the client to a private room
C. Obtain a urine culture from the client
D. Assess the client’s temperature
Scroll down for the correct answer!
The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
B. Move the client to a private room
Rationale: The priority nursing goals for a client with neutropenia are to reduce infection risk and monitor the client for the development of new infections. Since this client has severe neutropenia, the nurse should place them in a private room and institute neutropenic precautions first before providing additional nursing care.
Major Takeaway
The priority nursing goals for a client with neutropenia are to reduce infection risk and monitor the client for the development of new infections.
If a client has severe neutropenia, the nurse should place them in a private room and institute neutropenic precautions. In addition, the nurse should enforce a strict hand hygiene protocol and screen all staff members and visitors for signs of infection. To protect clients from exposure to potential sources of pathogens, prohibit live plants or flowers and order a neutropenic diet that’s high in protein and calories and does not include raw fruits, vegetables, and uncooked meats. Also, the client’s bed linen should be changed daily, kept dry and wrinkle-free, and the skin cleansed with the appropriate antimicrobial solutions as prescribed.
Incorrect answer explanations
A. Administer the prescribed hematopoietic growth factor
Rationale: Hematopoietic growth factors, called G-CSFs or GM-CSFs, can be used to stimulate the production of neutrophils; however, this is not the nurse’s priority action.
C. Obtain a urine culture from the client
Rationale: A urine culture is not necessary unless the client is experiencing symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as dysuria or urgency.
D. Assess the client’s temperature
Rationale: Assessing the client’s temperature is important to monitor for infection but is not the nurse’s priority intervention.
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