Prescription of an antimicrobial drug for a patient without knowing the cause of infection is

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Prescribing an antimicrobial drug for a patient without knowing the cause of infection is called empirical therapy. It is a common practice in certain situations, such as when the infection is severe and immediate treatment is necessary, or when the specific pathogen cannot be identified quickly. However, it is clinically important to identify the pathogen as soon as possible and adjust the treatment accordingly. Empirical therapy may not effectively treat the infection or may cause severe side effects, but it is not necessarily an inappropriate use of a drug.

Prescription of an Antimicrobial Drug for a Patient Without Knowing