2026 ATI NUTRITION PROCTORED FINAL NEWEST
VERSION 2026-2027 ACTUAL 300 QUESTION AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition
(TPN). Which of the following laboratory findings indicates that the
TPN therapy is effective?
A) Calcium 8 mg/dL
B) Hemoglobin 9 g/dL
C) Prealbumin 30 mg/dL
D) Cholesterol 140 mg/dL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Prealbumin is the most sensitive indicator of nutritional status and
reflects recent protein intake and nutritional adequacy. Prealbumin has
a short half-life of approximately 2 days, making it an excellent marker
for evaluating the effectiveness of nutritional interventions such as
TPN. A prealbumin level of 30 mg/dL is within the expected reference
range of 23 to 43 mg/dL, indicating adequate nutritional status. Option
A is incorrect because calcium levels are not a direct indicator of TPN
effectiveness; hypocalcemia may indicate other metabolic
disturbances. Option B is incorrect because hemoglobin reflects iron
status and red blood cell production, not immediate nutritional status.
Option D is incorrect because cholesterol levels reflect lipid metabolism
and are not direct indicators of TPN effectiveness. Therefore,
prealbumin is the best indicator of TPN therapy effectiveness.
Hypertension Diet Teaching
,A nurse is teaching a female client about a healthy diet to control
hypertension. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will drink 2 glasses of whole milk daily."
B) "I will decrease the potassium in my diet."
C) "I will eat 4 servings of unsalted nuts per week."
D) "I will limit alcohol consumption to 2 drinks per day."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
The client indicates understanding when stating that she will eat 4
servings of unsalted nuts per week. Unsalted nuts are a heart-healthy
food that provides protein, healthy fats, and minerals without
contributing to sodium intake. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension) diet recommends including nuts, seeds, and legumes as
part of a balanced diet for hypertension management. Option A is
incorrect because whole milk is high in saturated fat and should be
limited; low-fat or fat-free dairy products are recommended. Option B
is incorrect because potassium intake should be increased, not
decreased, as potassium helps lower blood pressure. Option D is
incorrect because alcohol consumption should be limited to 1 drink per
day for women and 2 drinks per day for men; however, reducing
alcohol intake is recommended for hypertension management.
Therefore, eating unsalted nuts indicates understanding of the
teaching.
Enteral Feeding and Diarrhea
,A nurse is updating a plan of care for a client who is receiving
intermittent enteral feedings and is experiencing diarrhea. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
A) Discard the client's opened cans of formula within 48 hours.
B) Administer the client's formula cold.
C) Feed the client in small, frequent volumes.
D) Consider a low-calorie formula for the client.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
The nurse should include feeding the client in small, frequent volumes
to manage diarrhea associated with enteral feedings. Large-volume
bolus feedings can overwhelm the gastrointestinal tract and contribute
to diarrhea. Smaller, more frequent feedings allow for better
absorption and reduce the risk of osmotic diarrhea. Option A is
incorrect because opened cans of formula should be discarded within
24 hours, not 48 hours, to prevent bacterial contamination. Option B is
incorrect because formula should be administered at room
temperature; cold formula can cause cramping and diarrhea. Option D
is incorrect because a low-calorie formula is not indicated; the nurse
should consider a low-fat or elemental formula if diarrhea persists.
Therefore, small, frequent feedings are appropriate for managing
diarrhea.
Failure to Thrive
A nurse is planning nutritional teaching for the parents of a toddler
who has failure to thrive. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A) Eliminate environmental disruptions during meals.
B) Stop the meal when the toddler exhibits negative behavior.
, C) Provide 240 mL (8 oz) of fruit juice in between meals.
D) Schedule meal times at the same time each day.
E) Allow the toddler to determine the length of the meal.
Correct Answer: A, D
Rationale
Option A is correct because eliminating environmental disruptions
during meals helps the toddler focus on eating and reduces distractions
that can interfere with food intake. Option D is correct because
scheduling meal times at the same time each day establishes a routine
and promotes consistent eating habits. Option B is incorrect because
stopping the meal when the toddler exhibits negative behavior may
reinforce the behavior and reduce nutritional intake; the meal should
continue with positive reinforcement. Option C is incorrect because
fruit juice should be limited to 4 to 6 oz per day for toddlers; excessive
juice can displace nutrient-dense foods and contribute to failure to
thrive. Option E is incorrect because the parent should set limits on
meal duration; allowing the toddler to determine the length of the
meal may result in insufficient intake. Therefore, eliminating
disruptions and scheduling meal times are appropriate interventions.
Food Allergy Reactions and Epinephrine
What type of food allergy reactions would the nurse assess prior to
administering epinephrine?
Correct Answer:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dyspnea
• Itching
• Dizziness
VERSION 2026-2027 ACTUAL 300 QUESTION AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition
(TPN). Which of the following laboratory findings indicates that the
TPN therapy is effective?
A) Calcium 8 mg/dL
B) Hemoglobin 9 g/dL
C) Prealbumin 30 mg/dL
D) Cholesterol 140 mg/dL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Prealbumin is the most sensitive indicator of nutritional status and
reflects recent protein intake and nutritional adequacy. Prealbumin has
a short half-life of approximately 2 days, making it an excellent marker
for evaluating the effectiveness of nutritional interventions such as
TPN. A prealbumin level of 30 mg/dL is within the expected reference
range of 23 to 43 mg/dL, indicating adequate nutritional status. Option
A is incorrect because calcium levels are not a direct indicator of TPN
effectiveness; hypocalcemia may indicate other metabolic
disturbances. Option B is incorrect because hemoglobin reflects iron
status and red blood cell production, not immediate nutritional status.
Option D is incorrect because cholesterol levels reflect lipid metabolism
and are not direct indicators of TPN effectiveness. Therefore,
prealbumin is the best indicator of TPN therapy effectiveness.
Hypertension Diet Teaching
,A nurse is teaching a female client about a healthy diet to control
hypertension. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will drink 2 glasses of whole milk daily."
B) "I will decrease the potassium in my diet."
C) "I will eat 4 servings of unsalted nuts per week."
D) "I will limit alcohol consumption to 2 drinks per day."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
The client indicates understanding when stating that she will eat 4
servings of unsalted nuts per week. Unsalted nuts are a heart-healthy
food that provides protein, healthy fats, and minerals without
contributing to sodium intake. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension) diet recommends including nuts, seeds, and legumes as
part of a balanced diet for hypertension management. Option A is
incorrect because whole milk is high in saturated fat and should be
limited; low-fat or fat-free dairy products are recommended. Option B
is incorrect because potassium intake should be increased, not
decreased, as potassium helps lower blood pressure. Option D is
incorrect because alcohol consumption should be limited to 1 drink per
day for women and 2 drinks per day for men; however, reducing
alcohol intake is recommended for hypertension management.
Therefore, eating unsalted nuts indicates understanding of the
teaching.
Enteral Feeding and Diarrhea
,A nurse is updating a plan of care for a client who is receiving
intermittent enteral feedings and is experiencing diarrhea. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
A) Discard the client's opened cans of formula within 48 hours.
B) Administer the client's formula cold.
C) Feed the client in small, frequent volumes.
D) Consider a low-calorie formula for the client.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
The nurse should include feeding the client in small, frequent volumes
to manage diarrhea associated with enteral feedings. Large-volume
bolus feedings can overwhelm the gastrointestinal tract and contribute
to diarrhea. Smaller, more frequent feedings allow for better
absorption and reduce the risk of osmotic diarrhea. Option A is
incorrect because opened cans of formula should be discarded within
24 hours, not 48 hours, to prevent bacterial contamination. Option B is
incorrect because formula should be administered at room
temperature; cold formula can cause cramping and diarrhea. Option D
is incorrect because a low-calorie formula is not indicated; the nurse
should consider a low-fat or elemental formula if diarrhea persists.
Therefore, small, frequent feedings are appropriate for managing
diarrhea.
Failure to Thrive
A nurse is planning nutritional teaching for the parents of a toddler
who has failure to thrive. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A) Eliminate environmental disruptions during meals.
B) Stop the meal when the toddler exhibits negative behavior.
, C) Provide 240 mL (8 oz) of fruit juice in between meals.
D) Schedule meal times at the same time each day.
E) Allow the toddler to determine the length of the meal.
Correct Answer: A, D
Rationale
Option A is correct because eliminating environmental disruptions
during meals helps the toddler focus on eating and reduces distractions
that can interfere with food intake. Option D is correct because
scheduling meal times at the same time each day establishes a routine
and promotes consistent eating habits. Option B is incorrect because
stopping the meal when the toddler exhibits negative behavior may
reinforce the behavior and reduce nutritional intake; the meal should
continue with positive reinforcement. Option C is incorrect because
fruit juice should be limited to 4 to 6 oz per day for toddlers; excessive
juice can displace nutrient-dense foods and contribute to failure to
thrive. Option E is incorrect because the parent should set limits on
meal duration; allowing the toddler to determine the length of the
meal may result in insufficient intake. Therefore, eliminating
disruptions and scheduling meal times are appropriate interventions.
Food Allergy Reactions and Epinephrine
What type of food allergy reactions would the nurse assess prior to
administering epinephrine?
Correct Answer:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dyspnea
• Itching
• Dizziness
