> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.junction.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Ask on Order Entry (AOE)
> Handle Ask on Order Entry (AOE) questions required for certain biomarkers, including the four question types and API integration.
Some biomarkers require answers to clinical questions. This is referred to as AOE. These can be as simple as the volume of a particular marker or the patient's ethnicity.
Questions that are related to fasting (e.g., code `FSTING`) do not need to be answered. Junction uses the default value you provided for fasting at the [lab test](/api-reference/lab-testing/post-test) creation time. However, if you do answer them, then the answered value overrides the preset test value.
There are 4 types of AOE:
1. `choice`
2. `multiple_choice`
3. `numeric`
4. `text`
`choice` and `multiple_choice` have a set list of answers to pick from, while `numeric` and `text` don't, and are free-form responses.
AOE questions can also be required or optional.
## Where to find the questions
As these AOE are directly related to biomarkers, you can find them in the [`GET /v3/lab_tests/markers`](/api-reference/lab-testing/biomarkers) endpoint or in the [`GET /v3/lab_tests/{lab_test_id}/markers`](/api-reference/lab-testing/lab-test-markers) endpoint, in the `aoe` object.
As an example, let's look at the `Lead, Blood (Adult)` marker. We have omitted some extra questions for the sake of this doc.
```json theme={null}
{
"id": 173,
"name": "Lead, Blood (Adult)",
"provider_id": "007625",
...
"questions": [
{
"id": 1234567890251,
"code": "BLPURP",
"type": "choice",
"value": "BLOOD LEAD PURPOSE",
"constraint": null,
"answers": [
{
"id": 1234567890252,
"code": "LCANS4",
"value": "I - INITIAL"
},
{
"id": 1234567890253,
"code": "LCANS5",
"value": "R - REPEAT"
},
{
"id": 1234567890254,
"code": "LCANS6",
"value": "F - FOLLOW-UP"
}
],
"required": true,
"sequence": 1
}
]
}
```
Each question has its own `id`, which will be required to answer it. The types we refer to above are an enum that is represented by `type`.
The `answers` list contains a list of possible answers in the case that `type` is one of `choice` or `multiple_choice`, otherwise it is empty.
`required` determines whether the questions MUST be answered in order for the order to be valid; otherwise, an error will be shown: `Missing required questions - "question"`.
## How to answer
For more information, refer to our [Knowledge Base article](https://support.junction.com/articles/1804950149-understanding-ask-on-order-entry-aoe-questions).
Answering is done at order time, via the [`POST /v3/order`](/api-reference/lab-testing/create-order) endpoint, in the field `aoe_answers`.
This field has the following format:
```json theme={null}
{
"aoe_answers": [
{
"marker_id": ,
"question_id": ,
"answer": ,
}
]
}
```
You will populate this list with the answers to the questions defined in the `marker` object, as explained [above](/lab/workflow/aoe#where-to-find-the-questions).
The `marker_id` refers to the Junction [marker id](/api-reference/lab-testing/biomarkers), and the `question_id` to the id of the question being answered.
For example, marker `Lead, Blood (Adult)`, has the following data:
```json theme={null}
{
"id": 173,
"name": "Lead, Blood (Adult)",
"provider_id": "007625",
...
"questions": [
{
"id": 1234567890251,
"code": "BLPURP",
"type": "choice",
"value": "BLOOD LEAD PURPOSE",
"constraint": null,
"answers": [
{
"id": 1234567890252,
"code": "LCANS4",
"value": "I - INITIAL"
},
{
"id": 1234567890253,
"code": "LCANS5",
"value": "R - REPEAT"
},
{
"id": 1234567890254,
"code": "LCANS6",
"value": "F - FOLLOW-UP"
}
],
"required": true,
"sequence": 1
}
]
}
```
In order to answer the required question, you will need the `marker_id` which is the `id` field, the `question_id` in `questions[0].id` and one of the `code` values in the `questions[0].answers` field.
### Answer types
The `answer` field contains the actual answer to the question and its value will depend on the type and question itself.
1. `choice` and `multiple_choice`
In this case, the `answer` should contain the `code` field in the list of `answers` provided, as shown [here](/lab/workflow/aoe#where-to-find-the-questions).
E.g., the question is as follows for marker of id `173`:
```json theme={null}
{
"id": 173,
"questions": [
{
"id": 1234567890251,
"code": "BLPURP",
"type": "choice",
"value": "BLOOD LEAD PURPOSE",
"constraint": null,
"answers": [
{
"id": 1234567890252,
"code": "LCANS4",
"value": "I - INITIAL"
},
{
"id": 1234567890253,
"code": "LCANS5",
"value": "R - REPEAT"
},
{
"id": 1234567890254,
"code": "LCANS6",
"value": "F - FOLLOW-UP"
}
],
"required": true,
"sequence": 1
}
]
}
```
The answer is:
```json theme={null}
{
"aoe_answers": [
{
"marker_id": 173,
"question_id": 1234567890251,
"answer": "LCANS4",
}
]
}
```
2. `text`
This case can encompass many responses, and depends on the question itself.
In some instances, the `text` case contains a `constraint` field. This is a string tooltip indicator of the constraints applied by the lab on this particular question.
E.g., the question is as follows for marker of id `173`:
```json theme={null}
{
"id": 173,
"questions": [
{
"id": 1234567890304,
"code": "EDDATE",
"type": "text",
"constraint": null,
"value": "EDD/EDC DATE",
"answers": [],
"required": true,
"sequence": 2
},
]
}
```
The answer is:
```json theme={null}
{
"aoe_answers": [
{
"marker_id": 173,
"question_id": 1234567890304,
"answer": "19900101",
}
]
}
```
3. `numeric`
In this case, the `answer` should be a numeric string representation of the actual value.
E.g., the question is as follows for marker of id `173`:
```json theme={null}
{
"id": 173,
"questions": [
{
"id": 1234567890240,
"code": "COLVOL",
"type": "numeric",
"constraint": null,
"value": "URINE VOLUME (MILLILITERS)",
"answers": [],
"required": true,
"sequence": 1
}
]
}
```
The answer is:
```json theme={null}
{
"aoe_answers": [
{
"marker_id": 173,
"question_id": 1234567890240,
"answer": "1000",
}
]
}
```