A nurse is caring for a client who has a cardiac arrest. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Auscultate for breath sounds: Assessing breath sounds provides diagnostic information but comes after quickly determining circulation and airway during a cardiac arrest scenario. B. Establish IV access: IV access is important for medication delivery but is not the very first action in a cardiac arrest; immediate assessment of circulation/airway and chest compressions take priority. C. Feel for a carotid pulse: Checking for a central pulse (carotid) is the immediate assessment to determine whether chest compressions are needed and is the first prioritized action among these options. D. Establish an open airway: Airway management is essential, but current resuscitation priorities require a rapid pulse check to guide whether compressions should begin immediately.