Question

Which focus is appropriate when teaching the parents of a child whose laboratory results show an absolute neutrophil count of less than 500/mm 3?
1. Administering iron supplements
2. Administering folate supplements
3. Preventing infection
4. Preparing the child for blood transfusion

Answer 1

Answer: Preventing infection

Explanation:

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell which play an important role in the fight against infection. They are the first defensive cells that reach the site of infection in the body. Severe Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is a subclassification of neutropenia which is a condition whereby an individual has an abnormally low level of neutrophil in the blood (below 500/microL). This condition is characterized by the inability of the body to kill and destroy the infection-causing bacterials and fungi. Therefore it can be treated my preventing infections and through the use of antibiotics as a prophylaxis.