Nadir

Definition

Nadir is the point at which blood cell counts are at their lowest after chemotherapy. This typically occurs 7-14 days following treatment and indicates a period of increased vulnerability to infection.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nadir is crucial for determining the timing of certain treatments and interventions, such as administering growth factors or antibiotics.
2. It commonly affects white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
3. Monitoring nadir helps in adjusting chemotherapy doses to minimize severe side effects.
4. The risk of infection is highest during the nadir period due to neutropenia (low white blood cell count).
5. Nadir varies depending on the type of chemotherapeutic drug used and individual patient response.

Review Questions

• What does the term 'nadir' refer to in the context of chemotherapy?
• Why is monitoring nadir important for patients undergoing chemotherapy?
• What are some common interventions taken during the nadir period?

Related terms

Neutropenia:

A condition characterized by an abnormally low number of neutrophils, increasing infection risk.

Myelosuppression:

Suppression of bone marrow activity leading to reduced production of blood cells.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF): A drug that stimulates bone marrow to produce more white blood cells, often used during nadir periods.