Final answer:
The nurse is using the Voice test to assess the patient's hearing ability by having them repeat spoken words. This is distinct from the Weber and Rinne tests that use a tuning fork.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assessment technique that the nurse is using by having the patient cover one ear and asking to repeat a few words spoken near the uncovered ear is known as the Voice test. This test assesses the patient's ability to hear spoken words, which reflects the sensorineural function of the auditory system. It is different from the Weber test and the Rinne test, which both use a tuning fork to assess conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The Weber test involves placing the tuning fork on the midline of the skull, while the Rinne test involves comparing air conduction to bone conduction sounds beside the ear and on the mastoid process, respectively.