Question

You are the nurse caring for M.H., a 30-year-old male hospitalized on the oncology unit, as he is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His labs today indicate his WBC count is 1000 (normal is 3,500-10,500). His oncologist has ordered filgrastim (Neupogen) 480 mcg SQ daily. The patient asks you, “So what exactly does this medication do and why do I need it?”. He also tells you that it is his 3-year-old son’s birthday and his entire family was planning to come to the hospital tonight so M.H. could take part in the birthday celebration. How do you, as the nurse, respond to the patient’s medication questions and plans for the birthday celebration?     

Answer 1

Nurse will tell the patient that this drug is to increase his white blood cell count which have decreased because of chemotherapy. These cells are necessary in our body to fight against infections. That is why this drug needs to be administered.

regarding birthday celebration, he should tell them to celebrate birthday at home and be in function through online video call as he may suffer fever, cough, chest pain, joint pain, vomiting, and hair loss with administration of this drug. Moreover his white blood cells count is  already less, so he is vulnerable to get infection that will further deteriorate his condition. So he should avoid to be in close contact with so many family members gathering for celebration.