A child has been diagnosed with a Wilms' tumor and is being treated with chemotherapy. Prior to administering the chemotherapy, what will the nurse monitor to determine if the child has any capability of fighting infection?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ANC is the most accurate indicator of a child's ability to fight infection. Chemotherapy can cause neutropenia, which is a decrease in the number of neutrophils, which are the white blood cells that fight infection. Monitoring the ANC allows the nurse to determine if the child is at risk for infection and may need additional interventions, such as prophylactic antibiotics or isolation precautions. Hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and platelets are important to monitor during chemotherapy, but they do not accurately reflect a child's ability to fight infection.

A Child Has Been Diagnosed with a Wilms' Tumor and Is