Final answer:
The nurse uses cognitive skills and cognitive assessment to determine the client's ability to understand information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse uses cognitive skills and cognitive assessment to determine whether the client is able to understand the information. For example, a young child or a client suffering from advanced dementia is not likely to understand the information. In these circumstances, it would not be reasonable for the nurse to inform the client that a substitute decision-maker will be asked to make a decision on their behalf.