Infection control

How to set up neutropenic precautions

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

Nursing (NCLEX)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Patients with very low white blood cells cannot fight infection well. Neutropenic precautions protect them from germs in their environment.

Step by step

  1. Place the patient

    Use a private room with the door closed when possible. [1]

  2. Strict hand hygiene

    Everyone cleans their hands before entering and touching the patient. [2]

  3. Screen visitors

    No visitors or staff with a cold, cough or fever. [1]

  4. Remove hazards

    No fresh flowers, potted plants or standing water in the room. [1]

  5. Follow food safety

    Serve well-cooked foods and avoid foods that may carry germs, per policy. [3]

  6. Watch for fever

    Check temperature often. Fever in neutropenia is an emergency that needs fast antibiotics. [4]

  7. Avoid invasive procedures

    Avoid rectal temperatures and other needless procedures that break the skin or mucosa. [3]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. CDC, Guideline for Isolation Precautions (2007) and PPE sequence
  2. CDC, Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
  3. Open RN, Nursing Fundamentals 2e (CC BY 4.0)
  4. Open RN, Nursing Pharmacology 2e (CC BY 4.0)

Facts and steps follow CDC, Guideline for Isolation Precautions (2007) and PPE sequence. VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.