Spotting Endocarditis in Clinical Practice: When a Fever Isn’t Just a Fever

This webinar will explore the pathophysiology, presentation, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of infective endocarditis, with a strong focus on practical clinical recognition for nurses. High-risk populations including patients with prosthetic valves, previous endocarditis, congenital heart disease, immunocompromised states, and intravenous drug use will be discussed.
CPD HOURS: 1
Registration Year 2026/2027

Course Content

Infective endocarditis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition associated with high mortality rates and significant complications if not recognised early. Prompt identification and escalation of care are strongly linked to improved patient outcomes, yet diagnosis is often difficult because the early signs can be subtle, vague, and easily overlooked.

This webinar highlights the crucial role nurses play in recognising these early clinical changes and responding before deterioration occurs.

Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, most commonly affecting the heart valves. It usually develops when bacteria, and less commonly fungi, enter the bloodstream through sources such as dental procedures, intravenous drug use, indwelling devices, or skin infections. These microorganisms can attach to damaged areas within the heart, forming vegetations made up of microorganisms, fibrin, and platelets. These vegetations may impair valve function and can break away, leading to embolic complications affecting other organs.

Patients frequently present with non-specific symptoms including fever, fatigue, malaise, or generally “not looking right,” making clinical vigilance essential. Nurses are often the first to notice subtle but important clues such as new or changing heart murmurs, unexplained skin changes, splinter haemorrhages, or lesions affecting the hands and feet. While these findings may appear minor, they can provide critical diagnostic clues in a condition where delays in recognition can have devastating consequences.

This webinar will explore the pathophysiology, presentation, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of infective endocarditis, with a strong focus on practical clinical recognition for nurses. High-risk populations including patients with prosthetic valves, previous endocarditis, congenital heart disease, immunocompromised states, and intravenous drug use will be discussed.

The session will also examine the role of blood cultures, echocardiography, prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy, and surgical management in complex cases.Importantly, the webinar reinforces the central role nurses play in early detection, ongoing monitoring, escalation of care, prevention of complications, and patient education. Through greater clinical awareness and timely intervention, nurses can significantly influence outcomes for patients with this challenging and often rapidly progressive condition.

Why this Session may be Relevant to your Work

This session is relevant to nursing practice because infective endocarditis can present with vague and easily overlooked symptoms, making early clinical recognition essential. Nurses are often the first clinicians to identify subtle signs of deterioration, escalate concerns, and support timely intervention. Improving knowledge of endocarditis can strengthen clinical assessment skills, support safer patient care, and reduce the risk of serious complications and mortality.

Learning Outcomes

In this session, you will:
  • Describe the pathophysiology of endocarditis, including how endothelial damage, bacteremia, and vegetation formation occur. 
  • Recognize the clinical features and complications of endocarditis, including fever, heart murmurs, embolic phenomena, and peripheral signs. 
  • Identify common risk factors for endocarditis, such as prosthetic valves, intravenous drug use, and pre-existing heart conditions. 
  • Describe the diagnostic approach to infective endocarditis, with emphasis on blood cultures and echocardiographic assessment 

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Anne Evans-Murray

R.N., BHlthSc, MACCCN, Grad.Dip Ed, MEd, Dip Counselling, GradCertCritCare, CertIV Training and Assessment, CertIV in Mediation
Anne has a passion for teaching which she does in an unpretentious way that ensures you will not only understand and retain what she presents but will enjoy this learning experience. She has extensive experience of over 26 years lecturing for Gold Coast Health District and Griffith University.