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?

Assessing the erythematous rash is important, as it can indicate the presence of erythema marginatum, a common symptom of rheumatic fever, but it is not the priority. B. Auscultating the rate and characteristics of the child's heart sounds is the priority assessment because acute rheumatic fever can cause carditis, which affects the heart valves and can lead to serious complications. Early detection of any cardiac involvement is crucial for timely intervention and management. C. Assessing joint pain is necessary for comfort and symptom management but does not take precedence over potential cardiac complications. D. Identifying parental anxiety is important for providing emotional support but is not the immediate priority in managing the child's acute condition.