What is the priority action for a nurse caring for a client with asthma?

The priority action for a nurse caring for a client with asthma is to auscultate lung sounds. This is crucial because asthma primarily affects the respiratory system, leading to wheezing, bronchoconstriction, and airflow obstruction. By listening to the lung sounds, the nurse can assess the severity of the asthma attack and determine if the patient is experiencing wheezing or diminished breath sounds, which indicates airflow limitation and may require immediate interventions such as medication administration or oxygen therapy.

Monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, or assessing peripheral circulation through bilateral radial pulses or capillary refill, while important for overall patient assessment, do not directly address the acute respiratory issues that a client with asthma may be facing. The focus in such cases needs to be on the respiratory function to ensure the airway is clear and that the patient is receiving adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Therefore, auscultating lung sounds is the most pertinent priority action in this scenario.