Nursing fever management in adult oncology patients: A literature review

Fever associated with neutropenia, blood transfusion and disease processes is common in adult cancer patients. The literature indicates however that the aetiology, rationale and symptoms of fever are often misunderstood, resulting in fever management that is not evidence-based in this cohort. Thus in this review, an overview of fever, with a focus on fever in cancer contexts, is provided. Content includes an explanation of the therapeutic function of fever, an analysis of the physiological consequences of fever and an exploration of the aetiology of fever in cancer patients. Current guidelines for fever management in cancer patients and existing nursing practice are also discussed.