A 45-year-old male presents to the emergency department with increasing pain and redness around a laceration on his forearm that he sustained 3 days ago while working with sheet metal. The wound appears swollen and there is a purulent discharge. What is the most appropriate initial action in managing this infected wound?
Irrigate and possibly debride the wound, then assess the need for antibiotics.
Discharge the patient with oral antibiotics and a follow-up appointment.
Immediately administer intravenous antibiotics.
Apply a sterile dressing without cleaning the wound.