Infective Endocarditis Case Study 1. The overall nursing goals for Infective Endocarditis include normal or baseline cardiac function, performance of activities of daily living (ADLs) without fatigue, and the knowledge of the therapeutic regimen to prevent recurrence of endocarditis. 2. Once the patient has been diagnosed with infective endocarditis, important patient teaching should include understanding of and adherence to the planned treatment regimen. The patient should understand the need to avoid persons with infection, especially upper respiratory tract infection, and to report cold, flu, and cough symptoms. The importance of avoiding excessive fatigue and the need to plan rest periods before and after activity should be carefully explained to the patient. Good oral hygiene, including daily care and regular dental visits, is also important. The patient must also inform all health care providers performing dental, medical, or surgical procedures of the history of IE. The patient should also be taught the significance of the prescribed prophylactic antibiotics therapy before any invasive procedure. 3. A patient with IE has many problems that require nursing management. IE generally requires treatment with antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks. After initial treatment in the hospital, the patient may continue treatment at home. Patients who receive outpatient IV antibiotics will require vigilant home nursing care. The patient and or the family also need instruction by the nurse about the importance of monitoring body temperature because a persistent and prolonged body temperature may indicate that the drug therapy is ineffective. The nurse should also teach the possible complications (stroke, pulmonary emboli, and heart failure) and its signs and symptoms such as change in mental status, dyspnea, and chest pain. A patient may also encounter exposure to infection, therefore, the nurse should advise the patient to follow-up with the doctor, maintain good nutrition, and obtain early treatment of common infections to maintain good health. If any signs or symptoms of infection such as a fever, malaise, and chills occur, the patient should be instructed to contact the health care provider. Finally, the patient should also be instructed about the need for and importance of prophylactic antibiotic therapy before invasive procedures.