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
Encouraging exercise to increase heart rate in a patient with myocardial ischemia could potentially worsen the condition. Exercise increases the demand for oxygen in the heart, which may not be met due to the reduced blood flow in ischemia, potentially leading to further damage.
Choice B rationale
Administering a diuretic to decrease volume is not the most beneficial intervention for a patient with myocardial ischemia. While diuretics can reduce the workload of the heart by decreasing blood volume, they do not directly address the issue of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle that characterizes ischemia.
Choice C rationale
Giving an antibiotic to decrease infection is not relevant in this context. Myocardial ischemia is not caused by an infection, but by a reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries.
Choice D rationale
Applying oxygen to increase myocardial oxygen supply is the most beneficial intervention for a patient with myocardial ischemia. Oxygen therapy can help to meet the oxygen demand of the heart muscle when blood flow is reduced, alleviating symptoms and preventing further damage.

Choice A rationale
Venous thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein, typically in the leg. While this condition can cause discomfort and changes in the appearance of the leg, it would not typically cause the leg to become cold and pale or result in the loss of a pulse.
Choice B rationale
Paresthesia refers to abnormal sensations in the body, such as tingling, numbness, or burning. While this condition could potentially cause discomfort, it would not typically cause the leg to become cold and pale or result in the loss of a pulse.
Choice C rationale
Vascular spasm is a sudden, brief tightening of the muscles inside the walls of a blood vessel. While this could potentially cause discomfort and changes in the appearance of the leg, it would not typically cause the leg to become cold and pale or result in the loss of a pulse.
Choice D rationale
Arterial occlusion is the correct answer. This condition involves a blockage in an artery, which can significantly reduce blood flow to the affected area. This could cause the leg to become cold and pale and result in the loss of a pulse.