Why should a NA avoid asking yes or no questions?

Why should a NA avoid asking yes or no questions?

• A. They are too hard to answer.
• B. They confuse residents.
• C. They can end a conversation and limit information.
• D. They are not respectful.

Answer: (C)

Yes or no questions can end a conversation and limit the information you receive from residents. When you ask open-ended questions, you invite them to describe pain, comfort, needs, or preferences in detail, which helps you assess conditions accurately and plan care more effectively. For example, instead of “Are you in pain?” you might ask, “Tell me where you hurt and what the pain feels like.” This keeps the conversation flowing, shows respect, and helps you notice changes that a simple yes or no might miss. The other options aren’t the main issue: yes/no questions aren’t inherently hard, confusing, or disrespectful; they just don’t encourage as much sharing and detail as open-ended prompts.

Yes or no questions can end a conversation and limit the information you receive from residents. When you ask open-ended questions, you invite them to describe pain, comfort, needs, or preferences in detail, which helps you assess conditions accurately and plan care more effectively. For example, instead of “Are you in pain?” you might ask, “Tell me where you hurt and what the pain feels like.” This keeps the conversation flowing, shows respect, and helps you notice changes that a simple yes or no might miss. The other options aren’t the main issue: yes/no questions aren’t inherently hard, confusing, or disrespectful; they just don’t encourage as much sharing and detail as open-ended prompts.