Final answer:
The best procedure to assess a client's respiratory status during an asthma attack is spirometry monitoring. It measures lung capacity and function, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive lung diseases like asthma.
Step-by-step explanation:
To assess the client's respiratory status during an asthma attack, a spirometry monitoring test would be the most appropriate procedure out of the options provided. Spirometry is a common and effective method for measuring a person's lung function. It can detect a reduction in lung capacity, which is characteristic of obstructive lung diseases like asthma. The measurement of the rate and volume of air that a patient can exhale helps to determine the severity of the asthma attack and can guide treatment options.
A peak expiratory flow meter could also be used for a quick assessment of the severity of an asthma attack by measuring the fastest rate at which a person can force air out of their lungs. However, spirometry provides more comprehensive data and can discern between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, making it more useful in a clinical setting.
Pulmonary function testing is a suite of tests that includes spirometry and can offer broader insight into lung function, but this is less likely to be used in the acute management of an asthma attack. A chest x-ray might be used if there is a suspicion of a complication like a pneumothorax or to rule out other conditions that might mimic asthma, but it is not used to assess lung function directly.