Soru

An elderly woman is evaluated in the emergency department for a new, excruciating headache localized to her right temple that began $48$ hours ago. The $72$-year-old patient reports that earlier today, she lost all vision in her right eye for approximately $10$ minutes before it fully returned. Over the past month, she has struggled to get out of bed due to profound stiffness in her shoulders and hips that lasts until mid-day. Additionally, she notes that chewing food has recently become quite painful, prompting her to eat softer meals. Her temperature is $37.9^\circ\text{C}$. On physical examination, her right temporal scalp is exquisitely tender to touch. Initial laboratory evaluation shows an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of $98$ mm/h.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?