Which assessment action should the nurse use when performing a cognitive ability exam?

Rationale: A. Evaluate ability to brush and floss teeth: Assessing the ability to perform personal hygiene activities evaluates functional status and motor skills, not specifically cognitive ability. It reflects activities of daily living (ADLs) rather than direct cognitive processing. B. Ask client to describe reactions in a difficult situation: Asking about reactions assesses judgment and emotional response but not cognitive functions like memory, attention, or orientation, which are the primary focus in a cognitive ability exam. C. Observe physical grooming and hygiene: Observing grooming and hygiene helps assess self-care and possibly hints at cognitive decline if hygiene is poor, but by itself, it does not directly measure specific cognitive abilities such as memory or recall. D. Tell the client to repeat a phrase that was said earlier: Asking the client to recall and repeat a previously stated phrase directly assesses short-term memory, an important component of cognitive ability. This action is a standard part of evaluating memory retention and cognitive functioning.