What it means
A question such as "Do you have pain?" or "When did you last eat?" It gathers specific facts quickly, which helps in emergencies, with very ill or short-of-breath clients, and when checking details. It does not invite the client to share feelings or tell their story; an open-ended question ("Tell me about your pain") does.
For the nurse
In therapeutic communication questions on the exam, open-ended questions usually encourage the client to talk; closed-ended questions fit when a specific fact or quick safety answer is needed, such as "Are you thinking of hurting yourself?"
At a glance
| Also written | closed question, closed-ended questions, closed questions |
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Related terms
assess
To gather information about a client by looking, listening, asking, measuring and examining.