Infective endocarditis: a challenging diagnosis

The critical care nurse plays a key role in the management and care of the patient with Infective Endocarditis. The nurse's sensitive assessment of post-operative cardiac surgery patients helps to identify this complication in the early stages so that early antibiotic therapy can improve outcomes for patients with this complication. Likewise, the nurse's assessment which uncovers a history of recent dental techniques or drug abuse helps identify this complication in newly-admitted patients. By administering and evaluating the success of antibiotic therapy the nurse helps the patient combat the Infective Endocarditis.