Final answer:
To assess recent memory, a nurse can use the three-word recall test or ask the patient to recite the months of the year, spell words backwards, or recall numbers in reverse.
Step-by-step explanation:
To assess recent memory, a nurse might best ask a patient to perform the three-word recall test. This involves giving a patient three words to remember, such as 'book, 'clock', and 'shovel', and then asking the patient to recall these words after a short interval of time during which other activities or conversations have occurred. This test is an effective way to assess a patient's recent memory capabilities.
Additionally, a nurse could ask the patient to perform tasks that challenge memory further, such as reciting the months of the year in reverse, spelling words backwards, or recalling a string of numbers in reverse order. These tasks help in avoiding overlearned sequences and assess memory capacity and function more thoroughly.