Endocarditis
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
CardiacInfectious Diseasehigh priorityneeds review
Endocarditis
Also testable as: Infective endocarditis
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Microorganisms infect the endocardium or heart valves, often after bloodstream infection risk.
- Vegetations can damage valves, embolize, and cause sepsis or heart failure.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics by class | Prolonged IV antimicrobial therapy is common and culture-guided. |
Nursing actions
- Assess fever, new murmur, petechiae, embolic signs, IV drug use risk, dental/procedure history, and heart failure signs.
- Obtain ordered blood cultures before antibiotics when possible and do not delay urgent sepsis care.
- Monitor for stroke symptoms, worsening dyspnea, and medication toxicity during prolonged therapy.
Complications
- Valve destruction
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Sepsis
- Renal or splenic emboli
NCLEX cues
- Fever plus new murmur.
- Petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, Janeway lesions, Osler nodes.
- Blood cultures before antibiotics if ordered and safe.
Memory hooks
- Endocarditis grows on valves and can throw emboli.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Blood cultures
- Echocardiogram
- CBC
- ESR/CRP
- Renal function during therapy
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.