Review Question - QID 212418

A 56-year-old man presents to the emergency department with increasing shortness of breath and mild chest discomfort. One week ago he developed cold-like symptoms, including a mild fever, headache, and occasional night sweats. He noticed that he required 2 additional pillows in order to sleep comfortably. Approximately 1-2 nights ago, he was severely short of breath, causing him to awaken from sleep which frightened him. He reports gaining approximately 6 pounds over the course of the week without any significant alteration to his diet. He says that he feels short of breath after climbing 1 flight of stairs or walking less than 1 block. Previously, he was able to climb 4 flights of stairs and walk 6-7 blocks with mild shortness of breath. Medical history is significant for coronary artery disease (requiring a left anterior descending artery stent 5 years ago and dual antiplatelet therapy), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type II diabetes. He drinks 2 alcoholic beverages daily and has smoked 1 pack of cigarettes daily for the past 35 years. His temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), blood pressure is 145/90 mmHg, pulse is 102/min, and respirations are 20/min. On physical exam, the patient has a positive hepatojugular reflex, a third heart sound, crackles in the lung bases, and pitting edema up to the mid-thigh bilaterally. Which of the following is the best next step in management?