The nurse plans to assess a client's ability to think abstractly. Which question or statement is likely to provide the best information about the client's abstract thinking?

A. "Has anyone come to visit you today?": This assesses memory and recall, not abstract thinking. B. "In what year were you born?": This tests orientation to time, not abstract reasoning. C. "What does, 'The early bird catches the worm,' mean?": This tests the ability to interpret figurative language and think abstractly. D. "Count backwards by 7, starting with 100.": This tests concentration and arithmetic skills, not abstract reasoning.