Which of the following is not a priority assessment for a client with pneumonia?

In the context of assessing a client with pneumonia, the presence of bowel sounds is not a priority assessment. Pneumonia primarily affects the respiratory system, and the key assessments focus on respiratory function and indicators of pulmonary compromise. Therefore, the quality of breath sounds, the color of nail beds, and the occurrence of chest pain are all critical components of evaluation.

Assessing the quality of breath sounds helps identify abnormal lung sounds such as wheezes, crackles, or diminished sounds, which can indicate complications or severity of pneumonia. The color of nail beds is also important, as cyanosis can suggest inadequate oxygenation. Chest pain is particularly relevant because it may indicate pleuritic pain associated with pneumonia or other underlying issues such as pleural effusion.

In contrast, bowel sounds are more relevant to gastrointestinal function and would not provide significant information regarding a patient's respiratory status or pneumonia severity. Therefore, while bowel sounds are important in a comprehensive physical assessment, they do not reflect the immediate respiratory priorities for a patient diagnosed with pneumonia.