Review Question - QID 213232

A 47-year-old man comes to the emergency department complaining of weight gain and abdominal discomfort. He states that over the past month he has gained 10 lbs. This week he began experiencing mild, diffuse abdominal discomfort. He denies nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. The patient has not seen a physician in years and takes no medications. He is a truck driver. He states that he drinks a 6-pack of beer per night. On physical examination, there is jaundice, hepatomegaly, and a positive fluid wave. An abdominal ultrasound reveals cirrhosis, portal vein dilation, and moderate ascites. He undergoes a paracentesis that relieves his symptoms. Fluid analysis is shown below:

Serum:
Albumin: 4.0 g/dL

Ascitic fluid:
Color: Yellow
Leukocyte count: 100/mm^3 with 50% neutrophils
Protein: 2.3 g/dL
Albumin: 1.9 g/dL

A culture is pending. He is discharged and instructed to follow-up with a gastroenterologist for an upper endoscopy. Upper endoscopy reveals multiple, small non-bleeding esophageal varices. Which of the following is the next best step in management of the patient’s condition?