Review Question - QID 109216

A 17-year-old boy presents to the emergency department with a 3 day history of sore throat. The sore throat seems to be getting worse and is starting to affect the character of his voice. He has headaches and decreased appetite secondary to difficulty swallowing. His medical history is significant for infectious mononucleosis 1 year ago, which has fully resolved. He denies any recent sexual activity. Several of his friends at school have also been ill recently. His temperature is 102.4°F (39.1°C), blood pressure is 119/83 mmHg, pulse is 107/min, and respirations are 18/min. Physical exam reveals the finding Figure A. The patient has cervical lymphadenopathy, and he speaks with a muffled voice. CT of the head and neck with contrast demonstrates a ring-enhancing fluid collection between the tonsillar capsule and superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?