An older patient with chronic atrial fibrillation develops sudden severe pain, pulselessness, pallor, and coolness in the right leg, consistent with acute arterial occlusion.

After the nurse notifies the healthcare provider, what should the nurse do next?

Choice A rationale
Elevating the leg above the level of the heart would not be beneficial in this case. This action would actually reduce blood flow to the leg, which is already compromised due to the arterial occlusion.
Choice B rationale
Exercising the leg would increase the oxygen demand of the tissues in the leg, which could exacerbate the problem. The tissues in the leg are already deprived of oxygen due to the arterial occlusion.
Choice C rationale
Applying a compression stocking to the leg would not be beneficial in this case. This action would further compromise blood flow to the leg, which is already reduced due to the arterial occlusion.
Choice D rationale
Keeping the patient in bed in the supine position is the correct action. This position will decrease the oxygen demand of the tissues in the leg and minimize ischemic damage until circulation can be restored.

Choice A rationale
Reducing the overall contractility of the heart muscle is not the primary reason for performing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)4. In fact, reducing the contractility of the heart muscle could potentially decrease the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
Choice B rationale
Reducing plaque buildup in the carotid artery is not the primary reason for performing CABG4. While plaque buildup in the carotid artery can lead to serious conditions such as stroke, CABG is specifically performed to bypass blocked coronary arteries, not carotid arteries.
Choice C rationale
Increasing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle is the primary reason for performing CABG4. When coronary arteries become blocked or narrowed due to plaque buildup, the heart muscle may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. CABG is performed to create a new route, or bypass, around the blocked artery, which improves blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Choice D rationale
Increasing the myocardial workload is not the primary reason for performing CABG4. In fact, increasing the workload of the heart could potentially exacerbate heart disease and lead to complications such as heart failure.