Fever in neutropenic patients

 Q: In a neutropenic patient a single spike of temperature more than/equal to 38.3°C (101°F) qualifies as fever.

A) True 

B) False

Answer: A

Fever in a neutropenic patient is usually accepted or defined as 

• a single spike of temperature more than/equal to 38.3°C (101°F), and/or 
• a temperature more than/equal to 38°C (100.4°F) sustained over a one-hour period 

Said that fever may not occur in all neutropenic patients like in older patients or who are on corticosteroids. Sometimes, hypothermia may be a sign of infection in a neutropenic patient.

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(A pearl on this similar concept has previously been posted here )

Reference:

Freifeld AG, Bow EJ, Sepkowitz KA, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the use of antimicrobial agents in neutropenic patients with cancer: 2010 update by the infectious diseases society of america. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 52:e56.