A nurse is caring for an 8-year-old child who has acute rheumatic fever. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority immediately after admission?

A. While an erythematous rash (erythema marginatum) is a common finding in rheumatic fever, it is not immediately life-threatening and does not take priority over cardiac assessment. B. The greatest risk in acute rheumatic fever is carditis, which can lead to valvular heart damage, heart failure, or arrhythmias. Therefore, auscultating heart rate and heart sounds (for murmurs, gallops, friction rubs) is a priority to detect early signs of cardiac involvement. C. Parental anxiety is important to address, but physiological stability of the child takes precedence during initial admission. D. Joint pain is common in rheumatic fever, but it is not life-threatening and can be assessed after the cardiac evaluation is complete.