A medical assistant asks a patient, "Do you have someone to drive you home?" This is an example of what type of question?

The question posed by the medical assistant, "Do you have someone to drive you home?" is classified as a close-ended question. Close-ended questions are structured in a way that prompts a specific, often one-word, response, such as "yes" or "no." This type of questioning is useful in situations where concise and clear information is needed, allowing the interviewer to quickly gather essential details without requiring extensive elaboration from the respondent.

In this context, the medical assistant aims to determine if the patient has transportation arranged post-appointment, which is critical for patient safety, particularly after treatments or procedures. The direct nature of a close-ended question helps streamline communication and facilitates efficient decision-making.

Other types of questions, like open-ended ones, would encourage broader responses, probing questions would delve deeper into a specific topic, and leading questions might suggest a particular answer. However, those approaches would not suit the objective of determining immediate logistical support for the patient.