What is the initial management step for suspected temporal arteritis?

The initial management step for suspected temporal arteritis involves obtaining inflammatory markers such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) tests. This is important because temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels, and these tests help confirm the diagnosis by showing elevated levels of inflammation in the body.

Timely diagnosis is crucial since temporal arteritis can lead to serious complications, including vision loss. Identifying inflammation through laboratory tests allows for appropriate and expedited treatment. While high levels of ESR and CRP indicate an inflammatory process, a diagnosis may also prompt further management steps, such as high-dose corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and prevent complications.

In contrast, immediate surgery is not a standard initial management step because the condition is primarily treated with medication rather than surgical intervention. Prescribing topical antibiotics is irrelevant in this context since temporal arteritis is not an infectious process. Adjusting current medications would depend on the existing treatment and would not be the first step when assessing a suspected new diagnosis. Hence, obtaining ESR and CRP tests is the most appropriate initial action in the management of suspected temporal arteritis.