A 51-year-old male has come to the health clinic for his annual physical exam. After exerting himself by walking from his car to the clinic, he experienced substernal pain, discomfort in his left shoulder, and his jaw.

These symptoms lasted for 2-3 minutes and then subsided with rest.

He mentions that this has been a frequent occurrence over the past few months with similar levels of exertion.

What is the nurse likely to suspect he is experiencing?

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.

Choice A rationale
While assessing the gag reflex is important in certain situations, such as after surgery involving anesthesia, it is not typically a crucial assessment following Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) of the lower extremity.
Choice B rationale
Checking for dye allergies is important before a procedure that uses contrast dye. However, it is not a crucial post-procedure assessment.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring of pedal pulses is crucial following PTA of the lower extremity. This is because the procedure involves the arteries in the legs, and monitoring pedal pulses can help assess blood flow to the area and detect potential complications such as occlusion or clot formation.
Choice D rationale
While the Ankle-Brachial Index can be used to diagnose Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), it is not typically a crucial assessment immediately following PTA3.