Which of the following is an open-ended question?

• A. What brings you here today?
• B. Are you feeling anxious today?
• C. Is your sleep pattern normal?
• D. Did you have any pain?

Answer: (A)

Open-ended questions invite the patient to share details in their own words, which is crucial for a thorough psychiatric assessment. The statement that asks, “What brings you here today?” cannot be answered with a simple yes or no; it requires the patient to describe the reason for the visit, the onset and nature of symptoms, current concerns, and goals. This kind of response opens the conversation, helps build rapport, and yields richer information about mood, thoughts, functioning, and the patient’s perspective.

The other prompts are closed-ended and tend to limit the information gathered. They can be answered with a brief yes or no, or with a short factual detail, which may miss nuances about anxiety levels, sleep changes, or pain experiences. While you might follow up with further questions, starting with closed-ended prompts makes it harder to capture the full picture right away.