For a patient with neutropenia undergoing cancer treatment, which restriction is appropriate to include in the plan of care?

• A. All visitors from entering the client's room
• B. Fresh flowers and potted plants in the room
• C. Oral fluid intake to between meals only
• D. Activities that could result in bleeding

Answer: (B)

In neutropenia, the body's defenses against infection are greatly reduced, so even everyday environmental sources can pose serious risks. Fresh flowers and potted plants bring soil, water, and plant material into the patient’s room, which can harbor bacteria, fungi, and mold. Keeping these out minimizes potential infection sources for someone with a very low neutrophil count. The other restrictions don’t address this infection risk as directly: restricting all visitors is overly prohibitive for routine care and social support; limiting oral fluids to between meals doesn’t align with maintaining adequate hydration; and restricting activities that could cause bleeding targets platelet issues rather than neutropenia.