What is the recommended event when a neutropenic patient develops fever?

• A. Continue standard precautions; no special measures.
• B. Implement neutropenic precautions and notify the team; restrict visitors and monitor closely.
• C. Delay antibiotic therapy.
• D. No visitor restrictions.

Answer: (B)

Fever in a neutropenic patient is treated as an emergency because the immune system’s ability to fight infection is severely reduced. The most important step is to implement neutropenic precautions and notify the care team, with visitor restrictions and close monitoring. Neutropenic precautions reduce exposure to potential pathogens (for example, a private room when possible, strict hand hygiene, restricted visitors, and avoiding sources like fresh flowers or standing water) while the team assesses the patient and initiates rapid management, including empiric antibiotics once cultures are obtained. Standard precautions alone don’t provide the additional protections required, and delaying antibiotics or having no visitor restrictions can put the patient at serious risk.