What immediate therapy should be initiated for the patient with Staphylococcus aureus infection?

For a patient with a Staphylococcus aureus infection, the most appropriate immediate therapy to initiate is antimicrobial therapy. This is critical because Staphylococcus aureus can lead to serious infections, including skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia, pneumonia, and sepsis. Introducing appropriate antibiotics as soon as possible is vital to controlling the infection, preventing its spread, and minimizing potential complications.

Timely initiation of antimicrobial treatment also helps to address the risk of antibiotic resistance, especially given that some strains of Staphylococcus aureus, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), can be particularly challenging to manage if not treated promptly with the right medications. Therefore, administering antibiotics early in the course of treatment is essential in managing the infection effectively.

Other options, while potentially relevant in certain contexts, do not address the immediate need to combat the infection. Fluid resuscitation may be necessary for patients in shock or with severe dehydration but is not the immediate priority for managing the infection itself. Administering pain relief is important for patient comfort but does not address the underlying cause of the infection. Performing a CT scan is used for diagnostic purposes and can be important if there are concerns about abscess formation or other complications, but it does