A 17-year-old male presents to the emergency department with a 24-hour history of abdominal pain that initially started around the umbilicus and has now localized to the right lower quadrant. He rates the pain as 7/10 and describes it as constant. The patient also reports a low-grade fever and nausea without vomiting. On examination, there is tenderness at McBurney's point. Based on the clinical presentation, what is the most appropriate next step in management?
Order laboratory studies, including a complete blood count, and discharge with outpatient follow-up.
Obtain a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen.
Immediately prepare the patient for emergency surgery without further imaging.
Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics and reassess in 12 hours.