Advanced Holistic Nurse (AHN-BC) Practice
Examination DEFINED ANSWERS LATEST
ALREADY GRADED A+ (2025/2026)
1. Which statement best defines holistic nursing?
A. A nursing practice that uses complementary therapies exclusively
B. A specialty practice that focuses on healing the whole person, integrating body,
mind, spirit, emotion, and environment
C. Nursing care that denies the use of conventional medicine
D. A nursing role limited to spiritual counseling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Holistic nursing is defined as all nursing practice that has healing the
whole person as its goal. It integrates all aspects of the person, uses both
conventional and complementary modalities, and emphasizes the nurse-patient
relationship as a healing partnership.
2. The Core Values of Holistic Nursing include which of the following?
A. Hierarchical relationships and strict adherence to technology
B. Holistic philosophy, theory, ethics, self-care, communication, therapeutic
environment, and cultural competence
C. Focus on disease management and cure
D. Limiting care to physical symptoms
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHNA Core Values encompass holistic philosophy, holistic caring
process, holistic communication, therapeutic relationship, self-care, cultural
diversity, and holistic environment. They guide holistic nursing practice.
3. The primary distinction between curing and healing is that healing:
A. Always results in physical recovery
B. Requires advanced medical technology
C. Is a process of restoring balance and wholeness that may occur even in the
absence of cure
D. Can only occur in a hospital setting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Healing refers to becoming whole and can occur at any phase of life,
including during dying. Cure focuses on eliminating disease. Holistic nursing
recognizes that healing is possible even when curing is not.
4. A holistic nurse is conducting an initial assessment. Which question best
addresses the spiritual dimension?
A. "What are your current medications?"
B. "What gives your life meaning and purpose?"
C. "How many hours do you sleep?"
D. "When was your last physical exam?"
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Spiritual assessment explores meaning, purpose, connectedness, and
values. Open-ended questions about what gives life meaning help reveal the
patient’s spiritual resources and needs.
5. According to holistic nursing principles, the nurse-patient relationship is best
described as:
A. An authoritative relationship where the nurse directs care
B. A healing partnership characterized by mutual respect, presence, and shared
decision-making
C. A brief, task-oriented interaction
D. A purely social relationship
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Holistic nursing emphasizes a collaborative partnership. The nurse and
patient co-create a plan of care that honors the patient’s inner wisdom and
values, fostering healing.
6. A patient tells the holistic nurse, "I've been using meditation for my anxiety."
The best response is:
A. "That’s not an evidence-based treatment."
B. "Tell me about your meditation practice and how it helps you."
C. "Stop meditating; it interferes with medication."
D. "Only prescription medication can treat anxiety."
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A holistic nurse respects and explores the patient’s use of
complementary approaches, gathering data to integrate safe and effective
practices into the care plan.
7. Which self-care practice is considered essential for the holistic nurse?
A. Working extra shifts to help colleagues
B. Engaging in regular reflective practice, such as journaling or meditation
C. Avoiding all leisure activities to focus on professional development
D. Suppressing personal emotions to appear professional
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Self-care is a core value; the nurse must attend to personal well-being
to be a healing presence. Reflective practices promote self-awareness and
prevent burnout.
8. The concept of "presence" in holistic nursing involves:
A. Physically standing in the room without interacting
B. Being fully attentive, centered, and available to the patient in the moment
C. Completing tasks as quickly as possible
D. Maintaining strict emotional distance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Presence is an intentional, mindful way of being with a patient,
conveying deep listening, acceptance, and compassion. It is a therapeutic tool
that facilitates healing.
Examination DEFINED ANSWERS LATEST
ALREADY GRADED A+ (2025/2026)
1. Which statement best defines holistic nursing?
A. A nursing practice that uses complementary therapies exclusively
B. A specialty practice that focuses on healing the whole person, integrating body,
mind, spirit, emotion, and environment
C. Nursing care that denies the use of conventional medicine
D. A nursing role limited to spiritual counseling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Holistic nursing is defined as all nursing practice that has healing the
whole person as its goal. It integrates all aspects of the person, uses both
conventional and complementary modalities, and emphasizes the nurse-patient
relationship as a healing partnership.
2. The Core Values of Holistic Nursing include which of the following?
A. Hierarchical relationships and strict adherence to technology
B. Holistic philosophy, theory, ethics, self-care, communication, therapeutic
environment, and cultural competence
C. Focus on disease management and cure
D. Limiting care to physical symptoms
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The AHNA Core Values encompass holistic philosophy, holistic caring
process, holistic communication, therapeutic relationship, self-care, cultural
diversity, and holistic environment. They guide holistic nursing practice.
3. The primary distinction between curing and healing is that healing:
A. Always results in physical recovery
B. Requires advanced medical technology
C. Is a process of restoring balance and wholeness that may occur even in the
absence of cure
D. Can only occur in a hospital setting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Healing refers to becoming whole and can occur at any phase of life,
including during dying. Cure focuses on eliminating disease. Holistic nursing
recognizes that healing is possible even when curing is not.
4. A holistic nurse is conducting an initial assessment. Which question best
addresses the spiritual dimension?
A. "What are your current medications?"
B. "What gives your life meaning and purpose?"
C. "How many hours do you sleep?"
D. "When was your last physical exam?"
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Spiritual assessment explores meaning, purpose, connectedness, and
values. Open-ended questions about what gives life meaning help reveal the
patient’s spiritual resources and needs.
5. According to holistic nursing principles, the nurse-patient relationship is best
described as:
A. An authoritative relationship where the nurse directs care
B. A healing partnership characterized by mutual respect, presence, and shared
decision-making
C. A brief, task-oriented interaction
D. A purely social relationship
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Holistic nursing emphasizes a collaborative partnership. The nurse and
patient co-create a plan of care that honors the patient’s inner wisdom and
values, fostering healing.
6. A patient tells the holistic nurse, "I've been using meditation for my anxiety."
The best response is:
A. "That’s not an evidence-based treatment."
B. "Tell me about your meditation practice and how it helps you."
C. "Stop meditating; it interferes with medication."
D. "Only prescription medication can treat anxiety."
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A holistic nurse respects and explores the patient’s use of
complementary approaches, gathering data to integrate safe and effective
practices into the care plan.
7. Which self-care practice is considered essential for the holistic nurse?
A. Working extra shifts to help colleagues
B. Engaging in regular reflective practice, such as journaling or meditation
C. Avoiding all leisure activities to focus on professional development
D. Suppressing personal emotions to appear professional
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Self-care is a core value; the nurse must attend to personal well-being
to be a healing presence. Reflective practices promote self-awareness and
prevent burnout.
8. The concept of "presence" in holistic nursing involves:
A. Physically standing in the room without interacting
B. Being fully attentive, centered, and available to the patient in the moment
C. Completing tasks as quickly as possible
D. Maintaining strict emotional distance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Presence is an intentional, mindful way of being with a patient,
conveying deep listening, acceptance, and compassion. It is a therapeutic tool
that facilitates healing.
