Question

You are called to assist a 50-year-old patient with rapid-onset pain in his right lower calf. The patient denies trauma but has a past medical history of hypertension and heart disease. The right lower leg is cool and pale, and the patient reports cramp-like pain in the area that began while he was sitting. His left leg remains asymptomatic.

Which of the following conditions should be suspected until proven otherwise?

A. Acute femoral artery occlusion

B. Acute iliac artery occlusion

C. Acute abdominal aorta occlusion

D. Acute mesenteric artery occlusion

Answer 1

The condition that should be suspected until proven otherwise is Acute femoral artery occlusion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition that should be suspected until proven otherwise in this case is Acute femoral artery occlusion.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the narrowing of the arteries other than those that supply the heart or brain due to atherosclerosis. It most commonly affects the legs and can cause symptoms like leg pain, skin ulcers, bluish skin, cold skin, or poor nail and hair growth. In this case, the patient's right lower leg being cool and pale with rapid-onset pain suggests a potential occlusion of the femoral artery.

It's important for the patient to seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.