Your patient was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. What is the most likely action the nurse should anticipate?

In the context of a patient recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, anticipating hospital admission for empiric antibiotics is a prudent action. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can lead to a compromised immune system, especially if the patient is at a stage that warrants treatment, potentially predisposing them to infections.

Choosing to admit the patient for empiric antibiotics ensures that any potential infection is rapidly addressed, reducing the risk of complications due to the patient's altered immune status. This is particularly crucial if there are signs of fever or systemic infection, which are common in patients with hematologic malignancies due to their treatment or the disease itself.

While other options like hospital discharge with oral medications might seem applicable depending on the patient's condition, they do not address the immediate risks associated with the recent diagnosis. Outpatient monitoring for symptoms is also not appropriate at this stage since close observation would be necessary given the potential for rapid decline. Referral to palliative care, though important in some cases, typically occurs after initial treatment strategies are established unless symptom management is the primary focus right from the diagnosis.

Overall, the anticipation of admission for empiric antibiotics aligns with best practices surrounding infection risk management in newly diagnosed oncology patients.