Nurses can gather cultural information from patients through various methods like taking a thorough social history and assessing factors like the patient's ethnicity, preferred language, cultural/religious practices, and views on health/illness. Cultural competence relates to better patient care because understanding a patient's culture helps provide care that is respectful and effective for that individual. Nurses demonstrate cultural competence by communicating effectively with patients, considering cultural factors in care planning, and advocating for patients' cultural needs and preferences in the healthcare system.