A 67-year-old man presents with fever and new murmur. Three sets of blood cultures are obtained. When should empiric antibiotics be started for suspec...

Question

A 67-year-old man presents with fever and new murmur. Three sets of blood cultures are obtained. When should empiric antibiotics be started for suspected infective endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

After at least two sets of blood cultures are obtained

Answer

Immediately before any blood cultures

Answer

Only after echocardiogram

Answer

Wait for culture results

Answer

After dental evaluation

us-abim MCQ (SBA): Infective Endocarditis-Initial Steps

A 67-year-old man presents with fever and new murmur. Three sets of blood cultures are obtained. When should empiric antibiotics be started for suspected infective endocarditis?