Word parts
What it means
Neutropenia is usually measured by the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). An ANC below about 1,500 cells/mm3 is neutropenia; below 500 is severe. It is most often caused by chemotherapy, but also by some other drugs, bone marrow diseases and severe infections. With few neutrophils, infections can start and spread quickly with few of the usual signs.
For the nurse
Neutropenic precautions: strict hand hygiene, a private room, no visitors with infections, and often no fresh flowers or plants. A fever may be the only sign of infection: report a temperature of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher at once.
At a glance
| Spanish | neutropenia |
|---|---|
| Also written | neutropenic |
Related terms
antineoplastic
A drug used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or stopping them from growing and dividing.
immunodeficiency
A state in which the immune system is weaker than normal and cannot fight infection well.
white blood cell
A blood cell that is part of the immune system and helps the body fight infection and other foreign material.
opportunistic infection
An infection caused by a germ that rarely makes healthy people sick but takes advantage of a weakened immune system.