What is a primary duty of a nurse while caring for a client?

In the context of nursing care, determining the client's care preferences is considered a primary duty because it reflects a patient-centered approach. This involves engaging the client in the care process, understanding their values, beliefs, and needs, and incorporating these into their treatment plan. This participation not only empowers clients but also helps build trust between the nurse and the client, enhancing the overall quality of care.

By ascertaining care preferences, the nurse is advocating for the client’s autonomy and ensuring that care is tailored to what the client considers most important. Acknowledging and respecting client preferences can lead to better compliance with treatment regimens and improved health outcomes.

Other options, while important nursing tasks, do not focus primarily on the client's individual preferences. Monitoring vital signs is crucial for assessing the client's current health status, administering medication is essential for treatment delivery, and documenting health history is vital for care continuity and legal reasons. Yet, these activities do not actively involve clients in their own care decisions in the way that determining care preferences does.