Prolonged empiric antibiotic therapy exposes microorganisms to antibiotics for an extended period, creating selective pressure that fosters the survival and proliferation of resistant strains. This leads to increased antibiotic resistance, which complicates future infections and limits treatment options. Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics without targeted therapy disrupts normal flora and accelerates resistance development. Therefore, minimizing the duration of empiric therapy is critical to preserving antibiotic efficacy.

Reference: Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett, 9th Edition.