A nurse is admitting a client who is to undergo a surgical procedure. Under the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), which of the following actions is the nurse's responsibility regarding the client's advance directives?

A. Assist the client in making decisions about the need for life support: Nurses can provide education about treatment options, but making decisions about life support is the client’s responsibility, often in consultation with their provider. B. Notify the provider of the client's durable power of attorney for health care: While important in care planning, notifying the provider is not the nurse’s primary responsibility under the PSDA. The act requires that clients be asked about advance directives and informed of their rights first. C. Clarify the legal competency of the client: Determining legal competency is a responsibility of the courts, not nurses. Nurses assess decision-making capacity, but under the PSDA, the main role is to ask and provide information about advance directives. D. Ask the client whether they have created advance directives: The PSDA requires healthcare institutions to inform clients of their right to make decisions regarding their care, including the right to have advance directives. Asking about existing directives fulfills the nurse’s obligation under this law.