10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
These 10 free AHN-BC questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Advanced Holistic Nurse-Board Certified blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
A woman with progressive multiple sclerosis describes always taking care of others and withdrawing when she needs help. In sustained dialogue with the nurse, she begins to see how relationships, major life events, and illness fit together. Although her disability advances, she describes a new sense of wholeness. Which theoretical framework most specifically explains this change?
Correct answer: D - Newman's health as expanding consciousness
Following a death in the family, a hospice nurse notices feeling unusually responsible for persuading patients' families to reconcile. Peer feedback shows that the nurse often redirects conversations toward forgiveness even when patients want to discuss practical concerns. Which professional-development response addresses this pattern most directly?
Correct answer: C - Examine the urge to reconcile families and obtain feedback on following patient-led priorities.
During follow-up for heart failure, a patient accurately explains the care plan and says, 'I want to stay well enough to coach my granddaughter's team.' The patient has missed two visits because the only bus route was discontinued and taxi fares compete with grocery costs. Viewed through Antonovsky's sense of coherence, which nursing priority addresses the least-supported component?
Correct answer: B - Secure affordable transportation with the patient before setting the next attendance goal.
At an outpatient stress-management visit, a patient taking sertraline reports adding St. John's wort three days ago. Today the patient is agitated and diaphoretic, with diarrhea, tremor, and a temperature of 38.7°C (101.7°F). The patient requests a breathing exercise because 'my anxiety is out of control.' What should the nurse do first?
Correct answer: C - Suspect serotonin toxicity and arrange immediate medical evaluation.
A 79-year-old who wants to join a community tai chi class completes the CDC STEADI Timed Up and Go in 14.6 seconds, using usual footwear and a cane on the standard 3-meter course. There is no new dizziness, acute illness, or recent change in mobility. How should this finding influence the plan?
Correct answer: A - Recognize increased fall risk and plan supported participation after assessing other risk factors.
A 9-year-old receiving repeated blood tests says, 'I'm bad at this. My brother never cries.' The child can explain why the tests are needed and wants to learn a coping skill. To support Erikson's task of industry rather than reinforce inferiority, the nurse should:
Correct answer: A - Rehearse a short coping routine and give specific feedback on the child's progress.
Before a relaxation session, a veteran says, 'Closing my eyes makes me feel trapped. I still want to learn something I can use on the bus.' The veteran is calm, oriented, and willing to participate. The nurse can best preserve therapeutic choice and present-moment safety by:
Correct answer: A - Offering eyes-open grounding using contact with the seat and sounds in the room.
An inpatient requests a brief family prayer before the evening meal. The nurse and patient arrange the prayer 20 minutes earlier so that it can remain part of the routine without delaying time-sensitive medication. The patient agrees that the revised time preserves the prayer's significance. In Leininger's Culture Care theory, this is an example of:
Correct answer: D - Culture care accommodation, because the timing is negotiated while its meaning is retained.
To evaluate a single 15-minute guided-imagery session, a nurse administers the unchanged PSS-10 immediately before and immediately afterward. The mean score falls from 24 to 18. Which interpretation of this finding is defensible?
Correct answer: B - The past-month recall period does not match the intended within-session outcome.
A randomized trial compares a relaxation program with usual support. At 8 weeks, the intervention group reports 0.7 points less fatigue on a 0-10 scale; the 95% confidence interval for the between-group difference is 0.2 to 1.2 points in favor of the program. Before enrollment, investigators specified 2.0 points as the smallest worthwhile between-group difference for this population. Which conclusion is supported?
Correct answer: D - The difference is statistically detectable but smaller than the prespecified worthwhile benefit.
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