Ethics & Law · single question

Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question, as used in effective patient communication?

  1. 'What concerns do you have about your treatment today?'
  2. 'Do you floss every day?'
  3. 'Are you in pain right now?'
  4. 'Is your tooth sensitive to cold?'
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. 'What concerns do you have about your treatment today?'

Open-ended questions invite the patient to elaborate in their own words and typically cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no' — 'What concerns do you have...' is open-ended, while the other three options are closed-ended yes/no questions that limit the range and richness of the patient's response.

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