A Patient with a History of Chronic Congestive Heart Failure

A patient with a history of chronic congestive heart failure is hospitalized with severe dyspnea and a dry,hacking cough.She has pitting edema in both ankles,and her vital signs are blood pressure (BP) 170/100 mm Hg,pulse 92 beats/min,and respiration 28 breaths/min.What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct next?

A) Auscultate the lung sounds.
B) Assess the orientation.
C) Check the capillary refill.
D) Palpate the abdomen.