Emergency Care for Acute Leukemia Patients (The James)
Emergency Care for Acute Leukemia Patients (The James)
Emergency Care During and After Treatment
Here are guidelines about when and how to report problems that you may have while being treated for your cancer. Your doctor may give you more detailed instructions on how to manage certain problems and when you should call to report a problem.
Symptoms and When to Call to Your Doctor
Symptom | Common Problem | Action |
Fever This symptom can be a serious problem when you have leukemia | Temperature Tell your nurse if you do not have a thermometer at home. The nurse will make sure that you have one before you go home. | Call your doctor right away if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher. You may be told to go to the Emergency Room. Do not take Tylenol, aspirin, Ibuprofen or Aleve before you call the doctor about your fever. |
Bleeding | Blood in vomit or stool | Call your doctor right away. |
Nose | Apply first aid (pinch the nose, put head forward, apply ice pack to nose and back of neck. Call your doctor. | |
Eye | Call your doctor right away. | |
New petechiae (pin point red dots under the surface of the skin) or new bruises | Call your doctor within 24 hours | |
Urine | Call your doctor right away unless you have been given different instructions. | |
Vagina | Call your doctor within 24 hours. When you call, be ready to tell your doctor how many feminine pads you have used. | |
Cold symptoms These symptoms can be a serious problem when you have leukemia. | Persistent cough (a cough that does not go away) | Call your doctor right away. |
Shortness of breath | Call your doctor right away. | |
Sore throat, runny nose | Call your doctor within 24 hours | |
Change in level of alertness | Unable to wake up or speak | Family/Caregiver should call 911. |
Severe headache | Call your doctor right away | |
Confusion | Family/Caregiver should call your doctor right away. | |
Dizziness or lightheadedness | Call your doctor right away. | |
Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Implantable Port | A tear or crack in your catheter | Call your doctor right away |
Unable to flush catheter | Call your doctor right away | |
Tenderness, redness or drainage where the catheter comes out of the skin | Call your doctor right away | |
Vomiting or nausea | Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds Unable to keep medicines, food or fluids down Feel lightheaded and dizzy | Call your doctor right away. |
Mouth sores | Unable to swallow fluids or unable to keep food or medicines down | Call your doctor right away |
Diarrhea (liquid stool, watery, without form) | Stool that has blood in it or looks like black tar | Call your doctor right away unless you have been given different instructions. |
Increase in the amount and number of times you have diarrhea | Call your doctor within 24 hours. | |
Skin rashes, sores or lesions | Any new symptom | Call your doctor within 24 hours. |
Eyes | Visual changes | Call your doctor right away. |
Redness or drainage | Call your doctor within 24 hours. | |
Dry, itchy | Call your doctor within 24 hours. | |
Joint or bone pain, or joint swelling | Any new symptoms or if pain medicine is needed | Call your doctor within 24 hours. |
Abdominal pain or cramping | Severe pain or pain that continues for over 24 hours | Call your doctor right away. |
Chest pain | Pressure or crushing pain in the middle of your chest that may go across your chest to your shoulders, arms (one or both), neck or back | Call 911. |
Indigestion | Stomach pain or gas | Call your doctor within 24 hours. |
New feeling of weakness/ numbness in legs and arms | Problems with walking, going up and down stairs, getting out of a chair or car due to leg weakness. | Call your doctor right away. Your doctor may tell you to go to the emergency room for care. |
New problems with bladder and/or bowel control | Problem with being able to completely empty your bladder. Problems with controlling your bowel movements or urine (wetting oneself). | Call your doctor right away. Your doctor may tell you to go to the emergency room for care. |
Numbness in anal area | Feeling of numbness when you wipe after going to the bathroom | Call your doctor right away. Your doctor may tell you to go to the emergency room for care. |
Neck or back pain | New pain in your neck or back | Call your doctor right away. Your doctor may tell you to go to the emergency room for care. |
Other Important Information
- When the Doctor’s Office is Closed
If you have symptoms that need to be managed, please call 614-293-3316. Your call will be answered by a James nurse who can provide advice.
- Schedule Appointments
Appointments can only be scheduled during normal business hours, when the office is opened.
- Medicine Refills
Keep track of your medicines to know when you need a refill. Remember to check your supply of medicines before the weekend or before going on a vacation. Call your doctor’s office during regular business hours to get a refill. When you need a refill, call your doctor 1 week before you will run out of medicine. This will give your doctor enough time to order the medicine for you.
- Important Medical Phone Numbers
You may find it helpful to write down your important medical phone numbers. Keep a copy of this information on your refrigerator and in your purse or wallet.
Emergency Squad (Ambulance) | 911 | Call this number in a medical emergency. |
Hematology and Transplant Clinic | (614) 293-3316 | Call this number for non-emergencies and prescription refills during regular business hours. |
Family/Primary Doctor | __________________________________ (write in phone number) | Call this number for routine problems that are not a side effect of your cancer treatments |
List other important numbers here: ____________________________ (write in phone number) | __________________________________ (write in phone number) |
© March 8, 2021. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.
Last Revised: 3/8/2021
Author: OSUWMC
Medical Review: Patient Education