Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) AMCA Practice Exam

Which type of question allows for only a brief response, often a 'yes' or 'no'?

1. Open Ended Question

2. Closed Ended Question

3. Reflective Question

4. Descriptive Question

The correct answer is: Closed Ended Question

A closed-ended question is designed to limit the response to a simple, definitive answer, such as "yes" or "no." This type of question is useful in situations where specific information is required, making it easier to gather data quickly and efficiently. For instance, in a medical setting, closed-ended questions can help streamline the assessment process, allowing healthcare providers to determine a patient's condition or preferences without delving into lengthy explanations. In contrast, open-ended questions invite more elaborate responses, encouraging the individual to provide detailed thoughts or feelings. Reflective questions often require the respondent to think critically and consider their responses deeply, thus requiring more than a simple affirmation or negation. Descriptive questions seek detailed answers that provide context and information rather than binary responses. Closed-ended questions, by their very nature, restrict the answer to a brief, concise format, which is what makes them effective for certain types of inquiries where clarity and brevity are essential.