Which practice is not long recommended for infection prevention?

• A. Colony Stimulating Factors By Intravenous Rather Than Subcutaneous Route
• B. Frequent IV Tubing and Component Changes
• C. Restriction of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
• D. Environmental Interventions

Answer: (C)

Infection prevention for patients undergoing chemotherapy has moved away from blanket restrictions on fresh produce. Historically, a neutropenic diet that avoided fresh fruits and vegetables was used to try to prevent infections, but evidence shows that such restrictions do not reliably reduce infection risk and can worsen nutrition and quality of life. Today the safer approach focuses on proper food handling: washing produce thoroughly, peeling or cooking produce when appropriate, avoiding unpasteurized products and high-risk foods, and practicing good hand hygiene and kitchen cleanliness. With these precautions, fresh fruits and vegetables can be included rather than routinely restricted.

The other practices align with established infection-prevention measures: administration of colony-stimulating factors is typically done in a way that minimizes risk and follows current guidelines, environmental interventions are essential for reducing infection, and routine catheter care and aseptic technique remain fundamental.