A term female neonate, born at 39 weeks gestation via uncomplicated vaginal delivery, is evaluated in the nursery at 6 hours of life due to worsening central cyanosis. Her oxygen saturation is on room air. After receiving supplemental oxygen via hood for 15 minutes, her oxygen saturation only increases to . Physical examination reveals a respiratory rate of , equal and strong pulses in all four extremities, a prominent right ventricular impulse, and a loud, single second heart sound () without an appreciable murmur. Assuming the patient is ultimately found to have inadequate interatrial mixing upon diagnostic evaluation, arrange the following management steps in the most appropriate chronological sequence from initial emergency intervention to definitive treatment.
- 1Initiate continuous intravenous alprostadil (prostaglandin E1)
- 2Perform a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiogram
- 3Perform an emergent balloon atrial septostomy
- 4Perform the arterial switch operation