Sepsis in people with cancer is generally caused by gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp. In most cases, these bacteria are part of the person’s normal flora. Good hand washing and general personal hygiene practices remain key nursing strategies to prevent FN and sepsis. People at risk of developing FN or sepsis must also receive education on:6,9 signs and symptoms of FN and sepsis actions that should be taken in the event of these signs or symptoms developing minimising potential exposure to infectious sources times at which people receiving treatment for cancer will be at their greatest risk of infection. Management All persons receiving treatment for cancer who present with a fever should be managed as if they are neutropaenic, without waiting for laboratory confirmation of their neutrophil count. The key nursing priorities when dealing with FN or sepsis is prompt assessment using a septic workup as per local policy and procedures. People with symptoms of sepsis should receive antibiotics within 30 minutes of presentation. For with suspected or confirmed FN that has not yet progressed to sepsis, antibiotic therapy should, if possible, commence within one hour of presentation. Ideally, blood cultures should be collected prior to the commencement of antibiotics, in order to better identify the causative infectious agent. Subsequent therapy should be based on the clinical findings of the tests performed and may also include the administration of intravenous fluid, blood products, oxygen, and/ or vasopressors. Individuals experiencing altered mental status must also be closely monitored to ensure safety. Other supportive management strategies undertaken by nurses include: monitoring the person’s response to therapy by checking signs regularly reviewing test results as appropriate assessing for signs and symptoms of septic shock supportive management of provision of information and supportive care to reduce concerns and psychological distress. Resource links The contains a resource on the . This includes a detailing the antibiotics that should be used to treat FN and sepsis. (This is a free resource, but you must register and log in to access). You may also find the NCCN Guidelines on ) helpful. (This is a free resource, but you must register and log in to access).
Sepsis in people with cancer is generally caused by gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp. In most cases, these bacteria are part of the person’s normal flora. Good hand washing and general personal hygiene practices remain key nursing strategies to prevent FN and sepsis. People at risk of developing FN or sepsis must also receive education on:6,9 signs and symptoms of FN and sepsis actions that should be taken in the event of these signs or symptoms developing minimising potential exposure to infectious sources times at which people receiving treatment for cancer will be at their greatest risk of infection. Management All persons receiving treatment for cancer who present with a fever should be managed as if they are neutropaenic, without waiting for laboratory confirmation of their neutrophil count. The key nursing priorities when dealing with FN or sepsis is prompt assessment using a septic workup as per local policy and procedures. People with symptoms of sepsis should receive antibiotics within 30 minutes of presentation. For with suspected or confirmed FN that has not yet progressed to sepsis, antibiotic therapy should, if possible, commence within one hour of presentation. Ideally, blood cultures should be collected prior to the commencement of antibiotics, in order to better identify the causative infectious agent. Subsequent therapy should be based on the clinical findings of the tests performed and may also include the administration of intravenous fluid, blood products, oxygen, and/ or vasopressors. Individuals experiencing altered mental status must also be closely monitored to ensure safety. Other supportive management strategies undertaken by nurses include: monitoring the person’s response to therapy by checking signs regularly reviewing test results as appropriate assessing for signs and symptoms of septic shock supportive management of provision of information and supportive care to reduce concerns and psychological distress. Resource links The contains a resource on the . This includes a detailing the antibiotics that should be used to treat FN and sepsis. (This is a free resource, but you must register and log in to access). You may also find the NCCN Guidelines on ) helpful. (This is a free resource, but you must register and log in to access).
EdCaN-Specialty-Module-Three-Core-skills-in-Cancer-care.docx