Review Question - QID 213820

A 68-year-old man presents to his primary care physician for a follow-up appointment. The patient has been fatigued for the past several months and had labs and a peripheral smear sent yesterday which is to be reviewed today. He has had decreased energy and has felt more depressed lately. His peripheral smear is reviewed as seen in Figure A. The patient is subsequently referred to another physician and started on treatment. His labs at a follow-up appointment 2 weeks later are seen below.

Hemoglobin: 7.4 g/dL
Hematocrit: 24%
Leukocyte count: 2,500/mm^3 (lymphocytes 85%, monocytes 10%, eosinophils 3%, neutrophils 2%, basophils 0%)
Platelet count: 97,000/mm^3

At this appointment, his temperature is 97.5°F (36.4°C), blood pressure is 120/82 mmHg, pulse is 85/min, respirations are 12/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Which of the following is appropriate management of this patient?