A Patient Comes to the Clinic with a History of Fever

A patient comes to the clinic with a history of fever of 102° F for several days,poor appetite,and cough.A sputum culture is pending,but Gram stain indicates a bacterial infection.The primary care nurse practitioner (NP) should:

A) begin empirical antibiotic therapy.
B) use a broad-spectrum antibiotic for initial treatment.
C) prescribe an antibiotic when culture and sensitivity results are known.
D) offer symptomatic treatment only unless the patient's condition worsens.