Which of the following patients has an absolute neutrophil count that is critically low and that the standard of care would recommend they be placed on neutropenic precautions?
A) A patient on long-term steroids for rheumatoid arthritis with WBC of 7000
B) A 37-year-old patient with leukemia being treated with chemotherapy with ANC of 400
C) A 65-year-old prostate cancer patient receiving radiation therapy with neutrophil count of 2000
D) A 75-year-old renal failure patient receiving Epogen for anemia with hemoglobin level of 9.7.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neutrophils constitute the majority of blood leukocytes and play a critical role in host defense mechanisms against infections. The ANC is supposed to be 1000/µL, and if the ANC is less than 500 cells/mm³, the person is generally put on neutropenic precautions in the hospital to protect him or her from the environment. A patient on long-term steroids for rheumatoid arthritis with WBC of 7000 has a normal WBC count; a prostate cancer patient receiving radiation therapy with neutrophil count of 2000 has a normal neutrophil count; a renal failure patient receiving Epogen for anemia with hemoglobin level of 9.7 is associated with RBCs and not neutrophils.

Which of the Following Patients Has an Absolute Neutrophil Count