How should a family nurse practitioner manage a patient presenting with progressive hoarseness after a performance?

When managing a patient presenting with progressive hoarseness, particularly one who has recently engaged in activities that may lead to vocal strain, requesting a referral for evaluation of the larynx is the most appropriate approach. Progressive hoarseness can indicate underlying issues such as vocal cord nodules, lesions, or potential laryngeal pathology that require specialized assessment by an otolaryngologist. This specialty is equipped to perform laryngoscopy, which allows for direct visualization of the larynx and can provide definitive diagnosis and management options.

The other options may not effectively address the immediate need for specialized evaluation. Prescribing systemic antibiotics would be appropriate only if there is a clear indication of bacterial infection, which is not typically the case in isolated hoarseness. Ordering a CT scan of the head may not be necessary at this moment as it is generally reserved for specific indications, such as ruling out more significant structural abnormalities or malignancies. An immediate lateral neck x-ray is also not indicated in this situation unless there are concerns regarding trauma or airway obstruction, which are not suggested by the presented symptoms of hoarseness alone. Thus, the referral for laryngeal evaluation aligns with best practices for accurately diagnosing and managing the patient's condition.