Q. A 55-year-old male patient presents to the emergency department complaining of painful swelling and redness in his right leg, particularly around the knee joint. He also reports a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) and general malaise. He works as a janitor in a local hospital. His medical history includes diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension. Both are managed with medication. On physical examination, the right knee appears erythematous, warm to touch, and edematous with a limited range of motion. There is a small open wound in the area with pus drainage. Blood tests reveal a WBC count of 18,000 cells/µL and an elevated CRP of 30 mg/L. A wound culture has been sent, and initial knee X-rays show no evidence of bony erosion. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?