A 52-year-old man is evaluated in the surgical ward on postoperative day 6 following an open ventral hernia repair. He complains of worsening pain at the surgical site and feeling warm since this morning. His temperature is 38.9°C (102.0°F), heart rate is 104/min, blood pressure is 130/85 mm Hg, and respiratory rate is 16/min. Physical examination of the abdomen reveals a localized 5-cm area of marked erythema, induration, and tenderness surrounding the lower half of the surgical incision. There is visible spontaneous drainage of thick, yellowish fluid from the wound edges. The patient's lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally, and his calves are soft and non-tender. Which of the following are the most appropriate initial steps in the management of this patient?
- Open the affected portion of the incision to evacuate the purulent fluidCevap
- Obtain a sample of the wound discharge for microbiological cultureCevap
- CAdminister broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics while leaving the wound closed
- DObtain a bedside chest radiograph to evaluate for postoperative pulmonary complications
- EOrder bilateral lower extremity venous ultrasonography to rule out deep vein thrombosis