The ABCs of low blood cell count.

Children with cancer often receive treatment that may include both chemotherapy and radiation. These agents primarily can affect the body's hematopoietic system. The authors designed a teaching poster, in both English and Spanish, to assist in teaching the key concepts of low blood cell counts to pediatric patients and their families. Having a child with cancer often is an overwhelming experience, and most parents and family members need to learn new information in a variety of ways to maximize their understanding and retention. This poster was not designed to be a substitute for patient-family teaching but, rather, to serve as a reinforcement tool.