What type of question is most likely to yield a detailed response?

Open-ended questions are designed to encourage a more expansive and thoughtful response. They typically begin with words like "what," "how," or "why," prompting the respondent to elaborate on their thoughts, feelings, or experiences. This type of questioning allows for nuance and depth in the answers, providing richer information than simple factual responses.

For example, asking someone "How do you feel about your current treatment plan?" invites them to share personal insights and reflections, whereas closed-ended questions, which can often be answered with a simple "yes" or "no," do not encourage the same level of detail.

The other types of questions, such as pleading or hypothetical questions, may either lead to ambiguous answers or speculative reasoning, but they are not as effective in fostering the detailed responses needed for comprehensive understanding. Open-ended questions are crucial in clinical settings for gathering patient information, enhancing communication, and encouraging patients to express themselves fully.