A 52-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use presents with fever, a new holosystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border, and multiple...

Question

A 52-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use presents with fever, a new holosystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border, and multiple tender nodules on his fingertips. Blood cultures are drawn. Transthoracic echocardiogram shows a vegetation on the tricuspid valve. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Wait for culture results before starting antibiotics

Answer

Begin empiric intravenous vancomycin plus cefepime

Answer

Start oral amoxicillin-clavulanate

Answer

Schedule elective valve replacement without antibiotics

Answer

Start high-dose steroids

us-abem MCQ (SBA): Infective Endocarditis