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Neutropenia Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan

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Written by
Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Neutropenia is a condition characterized by decreased levels of neutrophils. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell, specifically a granulocyte, and are crucial to the body’s ability to fight infection.

The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is calculated by multiplying the white blood cell count by the sum of the percentages of neutrophils (segmented neutrophils + segmented bands) and dividing by 100. The normal range is between 2,500 – 6,000 cells/mm3.

  • Mild neutropenia is an ANC of less than 1,500 cells/mm3.
  • Moderate neutropenia is an ANC of less than 1,000 cells/mm3.
  • Severe neutropenia is an ANC of less than 500 cells/mm3.

As the ANC falls, the risk of opportunistic infections increases. Severe neutropenia increases the risk of sepsis and even death.

In this article:

Symptoms and Causes

Patients with mild neutropenia may not present with symptoms. Symptoms associated with neutropenia include fever, mouth ulcers, lymphadenopathy, dyspnea, and skin abscesses.
Neutropenia is an important factor in monitoring disease processes and treatments. Cancer and chemotherapy are common causes of neutropenia. Other causes include:

Treatment for neutropenia includes treating infections if symptoms occur and administering growth factors to stimulate the production of granulocytes.

Nursing Process

Nursing care for patients with neutropenia includes identifying the cause of neutropenia, initiating prompt antibiotic therapy or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and implementing infection control practices. Strict monitoring is vital in patients with neutropenia, especially for early signs of infection and sepsis. Nurses must educate patients and their families on protective measures to implement when the immune system is suppressed.

Nursing Care Plans

Once the nurse identifies nursing diagnoses for neutropenia, nursing care plans help prioritize assessments and interventions for both short and long-term goals of care. In the following section, you will find nursing care plan examples for neutropenia.

Deficient Knowledge

Neutropenia may not exhibit symptoms until after complications have occurred. Patient education is essential to ensure adherence and the prevention of complications.

Nursing Diagnosis: Deficient Knowledge

  • Misinformation
  • Inadequate access to resources 
  • Inadequate awareness of resources 
  • Inadequate commitment to learning 
  • Inadequate information 
  • Inadequate interest in learning 
  • Inadequate participation in care planning

As evidenced by:

  • Inaccurate follow-through of instructions
  • Inaccurate statements about a topic
  • Development of complications

Expected outcomes:

  • Patient will verbalize understanding of neutropenia and adhere to the plan of care.
  • Patient will verbalize three neutropenic precautions they can implement at home.

Assessment:

1. Assess the patient’s ability to learn.
The patient’s learning abilities can affect patient education efforts. Patients undergoing cancer treatments may not be well enough to entertain complex concepts. Ensure information is presented at appropriate times.

2. Assess for support persons.
Learning efforts directed at those supporting the patient may be more effective.

Interventions:

1. Educate the patient about neutropenia.
In simple terms, without medical jargon, educate the patient and family about their lab values and how their numbers drive treatment.

2. Educate the patient about the signs and symptoms of infection.
Neutropenic patients have a higher risk of developing infections. Provide the patient with a list of symptoms to monitor for and when to alert their medical team.

3. Educate the patient and family on neutropenic precautions:

  • Limit visitors in the home
  • Wear a mask in public places
  • Avoid crowded stores or restaurants
  • Avoid live plants
  • Maintain good oral health
  • Talk to your doctor before getting vaccines

4. Instruct on food safety.
Patients with neutropenia must take care when eating fresh foods and vegetables and they must be thoroughly washed to remove bacteria. Some patients may need to avoid raw fruits and vegetables and undercooked meats.

Ineffective Protection

Ineffective protection is associated with neutropenia due to decreased immunity and defense mechanisms against pathogens and infection.

Nursing Diagnosis: Ineffective Protection

  • Low neutrophil count
  • Immunosuppression
  • Comorbidities (cancer, viruses, autoimmune conditions)
  • Chemotherapy treatment

As evidenced by:

  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Dyspnea
  • Fatigue
  • Deficient immunity
  • Delayed recovery from infection or injury

Expected outcomes:

  • Patient will demonstrate an absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500 cells/mm3.
  • Patient will verbalize three strategies to protect against infection.
  • Patient will remain free from infection.

Assessment:

1. Assess the underlying condition.
Determine the reason for a low neutrophil count. Possibilities include:

  • Genetic conditions
  • Infections
  • Cancer
  • Viruses
  • Certain medications
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Autoimmune disorders

2. Monitor vital signs.
Frequently monitor temperature, pulse, and blood pressure for changes that indicate the onset of infection.

3. Assess the body’s other protective mechanisms.
Assess the patient’s skin, oral mucosa, urine, stool, and IV access sites for any signs of infection or breakdown that could allow the entrance of pathogens.

Interventions:

1. Implement neutropenic precautions.
The patient should be placed in a private room with the door kept closed. Do not allow anyone with an illness to visit. Ensure the patient wears a mask when being transported out of the room.

2. Administer vaccinations and immunizations as ordered.
Vaccinations are encouraged to protect the patient against infections and viruses. Ensure vaccinations are inactivated.

3. Avoid invasive procedures.
Avoid invasive procedures like rectal temperatures or IM injections that could disrupt the patient’s skin barrier and introduce bacteria.

4. Administer growth factors.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors can shorten the duration of neutropenia in patients receiving chemotherapy by stimulating the production of granulocytes to increase the patient’s ability to fight infection.

5. Implement proper hygiene practices.
Proper handwashing is crucial for all healthcare providers, patients, and anyone who cares for the patient. Aid in other hygiene practices such as frequent oral care and skin care.

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is common in patients with neutropenia, and this can be a sign of a developing infection.

Nursing Diagnosis: Hyperthermia

  • Disease processes
  • Infection

As evidenced by:

  • Flushed skin
  • Skin warm to touch 
  • Diaphoresis
  • Chills
  • Stupor
  • Tachycardia
  • Tachypnea

Expected outcomes:

  • Patient will be able to maintain a body temperature below 100.4 F (38 C).
  • Patient will demonstrate strategies to promote a reduction in temperature.

Assessment:

1. Closely monitor the patient’s temperature.
Neutropenic fever is described as a temperature ≥ 101 F (38.3 C) or ≥ 100.4 F (38 degrees C) sustained for over an hour with an ANC of less than 1,500 cells/mL.

2. Monitor the effects of hyperthermia.
The patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, lung sounds, and urine output should be monitored for minute changes.

Interventions:

1. Administer prescribed medications.
Antibiotics and antipyretic medications are given to correct hyperthermia and treat the infection.

2. Encourage nonpharmacologic cooling methods.
Reducing the room temperature and removing excess clothing and blankets can help regulate environmental temperature, promoting patient comfort.

3. Assist with imaging and other tests.
Lab tests should be ordered to assess for changes, along with a chest x-ray, urinalysis, blood cultures, and sputum swabs, if applicable, before implementing antibiotics to detect the offending pathogen.

4. Keep the patient hydrated.
Hyperthermia can affect the patient’s hydration status. Providing adequate fluids can help reduce body temperature. Closely monitor intake and output.

5. Consider delaying treatment.
The development of hyperthermia may call for stopping further chemotherapy treatments until the infection is controlled.

Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output

Neutropenia associated with severe infection and septic shock increases the risk of decreased cardiac output.

Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output

  • Infectious process
  • Cardiac comorbidities
  • Sepsis

As evidenced by:

A risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms as the problem has not yet occurred. Nursing interventions are aimed at prevention.

Expected outcomes:

  • Patient will display blood pressure and pulse within normal limits.
  • Patient will maintain normal sinus rhythm on ECG.

Assessment:

1. Monitor the vital signs.
Note any changes in vital signs, specifically temperature, blood pressure, and pulse rate. Fever with tachycardia and hypotension indicate possible sepsis that may worsen into septic shock.

2. Assess for a cardiovascular history.
Obtain a thorough history of cardiovascular disease that may impact cardiac function, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

3. Obtain ECG.
Inflammation of the heart caused by infection or injury may result in ECG abnormalities.

Interventions:

1. Reduce cardiac workload.
Let the heart rest and avoid strenuous activities to reduce the heart’s workload and allow for recovery from infection or injury.

2. Administer fluid resuscitation cautiously.
Patients experiencing septic shock will require fluid resuscitation to increase fluid volume as well as antibiotics to treat infection. Administer fluids cautiously in patients with heart failure to prevent fluid overload.

3. Closely monitor signs of decreased cardiac function that may be complicated by neutropenia and infection.
These include:

  • Chest pain
  • Blood pressure abnormalities
  • Weak or diminished pulses
  • Changes in mentation
  • Dyspnea
  • Pallor or cyanosis
  • Reduced urine output

4. Apply supplemental oxygen.
Oxygenation is necessary to keep Spo2 > 95% to support cardiac function and cellular perfusion.

Risk for Infection

Patients with neutropenia have a higher risk of developing serious infections because they do not have adequate neutrophils to help fight off infection-causing pathogens.

Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Infection

  • Chronic illness
  • Decreased neutrophil count
  • Leukopenia
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Certain medications
  • Autoimmune disease processes
  • Bone marrow disorders

As evidenced by:

A risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms, as the problem has not occurred yet, and nursing interventions are directed at the prevention of signs and symptoms.

Expected outcomes:

  • Patient will remain free of infection.
  • Patient will display a white blood cell count and neutrophil count within expected limits.

Assessment:

1. Assess vital signs and any signs of infection.
Infection or sepsis can manifest with fever along with respiratory distress and tachycardia.

2. Conduct a physical assessment.
Neutropenia can manifest as mouth ulcers, abscesses, rashes, and delayed wound healing.

3. Assess and monitor complete blood count.
Blood tests can help monitor the white blood cell count and neutrophil count to assess the risk of infection.

Interventions:

1. Implement neutropenic precautions.
This includes a private room with appropriate signage so staff is aware. Equipment may be left in the room, so it is only used by that patient to prevent the transmission of pathogens.

2. Limit visitors.
Patients with neutropenia are susceptible to infections and must be isolated accordingly. Limiting visitors reduces the risk of disease.

3. Teach the patient proper handwashing techniques.
Handwashing is an effective infection control method. Germs from unwashed hands can easily be transmitted from person to person.

4. Administer medications as ordered.
The granulocyte-colony stimulating factor is often given to help stimulate the bone marrow into producing more neutrophils.

5. Maintain aseptic technique.
The nurse and staff should maintain strict aseptic techniques when accessing IV lines or ports, cleaning catheters, or touching the patient.

References

Published on
Photo of author
Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM
Maegan Wagner is a registered nurse with over 10 years of healthcare experience. She earned her BSN at Western Governors University. Her nursing career has led her through many different specialties including inpatient acute care, hospice, home health, case management, travel nursing, and telehealth, but her passion lies in educating through writing for other healthcare professionals and the general public.