Question

What is important to teach a patient on neutropenic precautions?

What type of patient is at most risk of developing DIC?

Answer 1

Neutropenia is a condition where there is decrease in the level of neutrophils below the normal level. Normal neutrophil count is 1500-8000/mm. First let us know, problems with neutropenia. So basically neutrophils participates in killing infection causing organisms. So when a person becomes neutrooenic, they get more exposure to several infections which later undergo fatal. So various infections can lead to chest problem, fever, body aches and so on. So it is important to teach them to not come in contact with people having respiratory tract infections, avoid crowded places and strictly wear facemask when ANC level drops below 1000/microlitre.

Type of patient at risk of getting DIC:- patients having sepsis(infection of the bloodstream), surgery and trauma patients, cancer patients.