What is the priority assessment for a child suspected of having a cardiac anomaly?

Evaluating blood pressure in all four extremities is crucial when assessing a child suspected of having a cardiac anomaly because it helps identify significant differences in circulation between the upper and lower body. This assessment can reveal conditions like coarctation of the aorta, where blood pressure readings in the arms are higher than those in the legs due to narrowing of the aorta.

Other assessments, while important for overall health, do not provide the same immediate insight into potential cardiac conditions. For example, skin turgor can give information about hydration status, temperature can indicate infection or inflammation, and pupil size and reaction to light pertain more to neurological function than to cardiac issues. Thus, measuring blood pressure in all four extremities directly informs the clinician about possible circulatory anomalies, making it the priority assessment in this scenario.