ATI Nutrition Proctored Exam Retake Practice Test
(100 Questions) 2026
Category 1: Nutrition Across the Lifespan (Pregnancy, Infants, Pediatrics,
Geriatrics)
1. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who is at 10 weeks of
gestation. Which of the following nutrients should the nurse prioritize to
prevent neural tube defects?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Folic Acid [A]
D. Vitamin D
Rationale: Folic acid (vitamin B9) is crucial for proper neural tube closure during
the first trimester. A deficiency can lead to spina bifida or anencephaly. While
iron, calcium, and vitamin D are important during pregnancy, they do not
specifically prevent neural tube defects .
2. A nurse is teaching the parent of a 6-month-old infant about introducing solid
foods. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend introducing
first?
A. Strained fruits
B. Iron-fortified rice cereal [A]
C. Egg whites
D. Cow's milk
Rationale: Iron-fortified single-grain cereal is typically recommended as the first
,solid food because infants' iron stores begin to deplete around 6 months. Cow's
milk should not be introduced until 12 months. Egg whites are often introduced
later due to allergy potential .
3. A nurse is assessing an older adult client for signs of malnutrition. Which of
the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report?
A. BMI of 20
B. Prealbumin 10 mg/dL [A]
C. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
D. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Prealbumin is a sensitive indicator of recent nutritional status; a level
of 10 mg/dL indicates severe protein-calorie malnutrition. The other values are
within normal limits (BMI 20 is slightly underweight but not acute; Hgb 14 is
normal; K+ 4.2 is normal) .
4. A nurse is teaching a parent about appropriate snack choices for a 9-month-
old infant. Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend?
A. Raw carrot sticks
B. Graham crackers [A]
C. Skim milk
D. Honey
Rationale: Graham crackers dissolve easily and pose a low choking risk. Raw
vegetables (carrots) are a choking hazard. Skim milk lacks essential fat for brain
development and should not replace breastmilk or formula. Honey carries a risk
of infant botulism before 12 months .
,5. A nurse is planning discharge for an older adult client who lives alone and has
a decreased sense of taste and smell. Which strategy should the nurse include
to improve nutritional intake?
A. Maintain consistent food textures at mealtimes. [A]
B. Use large amounts of table salt to enhance flavor.
C. Skip meals to increase hunger later.
D. Drink most fluids just before eating.
Rationale: Maintaining consistent textures helps with familiarity and safety.
Increasing salt is dangerous for blood pressure. Skipping meals leads to
malnutrition. Drinking fluids before meals can cause early satiety, reducing food
intake .
6. A nurse is teaching the guardians of a school-age child about healthy eating
habits. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "You should have your child skip breakfast to control weight."
B. "You should eat meals together as a family most of the time." [A]
C. "Provide your child with low-fat milk exclusively."
D. "Reward good behavior with a special snack."
Rationale: Family meals promote healthy eating habits and positive attitudes
toward food. Children need adequate fat for growth; low-fat milk is not
recommended for all children under 2. Using food as a reward can create an
unhealthy emotional relationship with food .
7. A client who is breastfeeding asks the nurse about increasing her milk supply.
Which of the following foods is traditionally believed to help with lactation
(galactagogue)?
, A. Grapes
B. Oatmeal [A]
C. Citrus fruits
D. Celery
Rationale: Oats are a commonly recommended galactagogue believed to help
support milk production. While hydration and overall nutrition are key, oats are a
specific food often suggested for this purpose.
8. A nurse is providing dietary counseling to a postpartum client who is
breastfeeding. Which nutrient's requirement increases the most during
lactation compared to pregnancy?
A. Iron
B. Folic Acid
C. Calcium [A]
D. Vitamin C
Rationale: Breastfeeding mothers need adequate calcium intake to maintain bone
health, as calcium is transferred to the infant through breast milk without regard
for maternal stores .
9. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescent athletes about nutrition. Which
snack should the nurse recommend to provide the most sustained energy for
endurance?
A. A candy bar
B. Peanut butter on whole-wheat toast [A]
C. A sugary sports drink
D. A diet soda
(100 Questions) 2026
Category 1: Nutrition Across the Lifespan (Pregnancy, Infants, Pediatrics,
Geriatrics)
1. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who is at 10 weeks of
gestation. Which of the following nutrients should the nurse prioritize to
prevent neural tube defects?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Folic Acid [A]
D. Vitamin D
Rationale: Folic acid (vitamin B9) is crucial for proper neural tube closure during
the first trimester. A deficiency can lead to spina bifida or anencephaly. While
iron, calcium, and vitamin D are important during pregnancy, they do not
specifically prevent neural tube defects .
2. A nurse is teaching the parent of a 6-month-old infant about introducing solid
foods. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend introducing
first?
A. Strained fruits
B. Iron-fortified rice cereal [A]
C. Egg whites
D. Cow's milk
Rationale: Iron-fortified single-grain cereal is typically recommended as the first
,solid food because infants' iron stores begin to deplete around 6 months. Cow's
milk should not be introduced until 12 months. Egg whites are often introduced
later due to allergy potential .
3. A nurse is assessing an older adult client for signs of malnutrition. Which of
the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report?
A. BMI of 20
B. Prealbumin 10 mg/dL [A]
C. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
D. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Prealbumin is a sensitive indicator of recent nutritional status; a level
of 10 mg/dL indicates severe protein-calorie malnutrition. The other values are
within normal limits (BMI 20 is slightly underweight but not acute; Hgb 14 is
normal; K+ 4.2 is normal) .
4. A nurse is teaching a parent about appropriate snack choices for a 9-month-
old infant. Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend?
A. Raw carrot sticks
B. Graham crackers [A]
C. Skim milk
D. Honey
Rationale: Graham crackers dissolve easily and pose a low choking risk. Raw
vegetables (carrots) are a choking hazard. Skim milk lacks essential fat for brain
development and should not replace breastmilk or formula. Honey carries a risk
of infant botulism before 12 months .
,5. A nurse is planning discharge for an older adult client who lives alone and has
a decreased sense of taste and smell. Which strategy should the nurse include
to improve nutritional intake?
A. Maintain consistent food textures at mealtimes. [A]
B. Use large amounts of table salt to enhance flavor.
C. Skip meals to increase hunger later.
D. Drink most fluids just before eating.
Rationale: Maintaining consistent textures helps with familiarity and safety.
Increasing salt is dangerous for blood pressure. Skipping meals leads to
malnutrition. Drinking fluids before meals can cause early satiety, reducing food
intake .
6. A nurse is teaching the guardians of a school-age child about healthy eating
habits. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "You should have your child skip breakfast to control weight."
B. "You should eat meals together as a family most of the time." [A]
C. "Provide your child with low-fat milk exclusively."
D. "Reward good behavior with a special snack."
Rationale: Family meals promote healthy eating habits and positive attitudes
toward food. Children need adequate fat for growth; low-fat milk is not
recommended for all children under 2. Using food as a reward can create an
unhealthy emotional relationship with food .
7. A client who is breastfeeding asks the nurse about increasing her milk supply.
Which of the following foods is traditionally believed to help with lactation
(galactagogue)?
, A. Grapes
B. Oatmeal [A]
C. Citrus fruits
D. Celery
Rationale: Oats are a commonly recommended galactagogue believed to help
support milk production. While hydration and overall nutrition are key, oats are a
specific food often suggested for this purpose.
8. A nurse is providing dietary counseling to a postpartum client who is
breastfeeding. Which nutrient's requirement increases the most during
lactation compared to pregnancy?
A. Iron
B. Folic Acid
C. Calcium [A]
D. Vitamin C
Rationale: Breastfeeding mothers need adequate calcium intake to maintain bone
health, as calcium is transferred to the infant through breast milk without regard
for maternal stores .
9. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescent athletes about nutrition. Which
snack should the nurse recommend to provide the most sustained energy for
endurance?
A. A candy bar
B. Peanut butter on whole-wheat toast [A]
C. A sugary sports drink
D. A diet soda
