Sepsis.

OBJECTIVES

To review infection and sepsis in patients with cancer and to provide an overview of controversies and research-based practices of infectious complications and management strategies.

DATA SOURCES: Research studies, review articles, web sites, and consensus documents.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional assumptions about infection and its optimal management are redefined by research regarding transfusion and catheter-related infections, prophylactic antibiotic administration, use of growth factors, and antimicrobial therapy regimens.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Infection is still the most common source of morbidity and mortality among cancer patients. The importance of recognizing high-risk patients, implementing infection prevention practices, and prompt intervention for infection symptoms has been established.