Which is true about open-ended questions?

• A. They require a yes or no answer
• B. They encourage elaboration and exploration of ideas.
• C. They assess only memorized facts
• D. They constrain discussion

Answer: (B)

Open-ended questions are designed to draw out detailed, thoughtful responses rather than a simple yes or no. They invite you to explain reasoning, describe steps, and connect ideas, which helps reveal understanding and the ability to apply concepts. That makes them best described as encouraging elaboration and exploration of ideas. In practice, open-ended prompts in pharmacy tech education, such as asking how a patient’s regimen might be adjusted for adherence or what factors influence a safe administration plan, require you to articulate reasoning, consider different scenarios, and justify choices rather than just recalling facts. The other patterns—calling for a yes-or-no answer, focusing only on memorized facts, or limiting discussion—do not align with what open-ended questions are meant to do, since they push you to think more deeply and communicate your understanding.