,ATI Nutrition Assessment Exam Questions And Answers 2026/2027
1.** A nurse is performing a nutritional assessment on a client. Which of the
following is a component of a comprehensive nutrition assessment?
A) Anthropometric measurements only
B) Biochemical data only
C) Diet history, anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, and clinical
assessment
D) Clinical assessment only
**Correct Answer:** C) Diet history, anthropometric measurements,
biochemical data, and clinical assessment
**Rationale:** A comprehensive nutrition assessment includes four
components: diet history (food intake, preferences, restrictions),
anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI), biochemical data (lab
values), and clinical assessment (physical exam findings).
**2.** A nurse is calculating a client's body mass index (BMI). The client
weighs 176 pounds and is 5 feet 8 inches tall. What is the client's BMI?
A) 24.5
B) 26.8
C) 28.2
D) 30.1
**Correct Answer:** B) 26.8
,**Rationale:** BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². Weight in kg: 176 ÷ 2.2 = 80
kg. Height in meters: 68 inches × 0.0254 = 1.727 m. 80 ÷ (1.727)² = 80 ÷
2.982 = 26.8. A BMI of 26.8 falls in the overweight category (25-29.9).
**3.** A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which of the following
laboratory values is the best indicator of protein status?
A) Serum albumin
B) Serum creatinine
C) Serum glucose
D) Serum sodium
**Correct Answer:** A) Serum albumin
**Rationale:** Serum albumin is a key indicator of protein status. Low
albumin levels (hypoalbuminemia) may indicate inadequate protein intake,
malnutrition, or chronic illness. Normal albumin range is 3.5-5.0 g/dL.
**4.** A nurse is teaching a client about ideal body weight (IBW). Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A) "My ideal body weight is based solely on my age."
B) "My ideal body weight is based on my height and can vary by plus or
minus 10% depending on my frame size."
C) "My ideal body weight is the same for everyone of my height."
D) "My ideal body weight is not important for my health."
**Correct Answer:** B) "My ideal body weight is based on my height and can
vary by plus or minus 10% depending on my frame size."
, **Rationale:** Ideal body weight (IBW) is calculated based on height, with
adjustments for frame size (plus or minus 10%). It is a useful reference for
assessing nutritional status.
**5.** A nurse is assessing a client for signs of malnutrition. Which of the
following physical findings is most indicative of inadequate nutrition?
A) Pale conjunctiva
B) Dry, brittle hair
C) Edema
D) All of the above
**Correct Answer:** D) All of the above
**Rationale:** Physical signs of malnutrition include pale conjunctiva (iron
deficiency), dry brittle hair (protein/essential fatty acid deficiency), and
edema (protein deficiency). A comprehensive clinical assessment evaluates
multiple physical findings.
**6.** A nurse is conducting a diet history interview. Which of the following
questions is most appropriate to assess a client's typical dietary intake?
A) "Do you eat breakfast every day?"
B) "Describe a typical day's food intake, including meals and snacks."
C) "How many calories do you think you eat each day?"
D) "Do you like vegetables?"
1.** A nurse is performing a nutritional assessment on a client. Which of the
following is a component of a comprehensive nutrition assessment?
A) Anthropometric measurements only
B) Biochemical data only
C) Diet history, anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, and clinical
assessment
D) Clinical assessment only
**Correct Answer:** C) Diet history, anthropometric measurements,
biochemical data, and clinical assessment
**Rationale:** A comprehensive nutrition assessment includes four
components: diet history (food intake, preferences, restrictions),
anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI), biochemical data (lab
values), and clinical assessment (physical exam findings).
**2.** A nurse is calculating a client's body mass index (BMI). The client
weighs 176 pounds and is 5 feet 8 inches tall. What is the client's BMI?
A) 24.5
B) 26.8
C) 28.2
D) 30.1
**Correct Answer:** B) 26.8
,**Rationale:** BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². Weight in kg: 176 ÷ 2.2 = 80
kg. Height in meters: 68 inches × 0.0254 = 1.727 m. 80 ÷ (1.727)² = 80 ÷
2.982 = 26.8. A BMI of 26.8 falls in the overweight category (25-29.9).
**3.** A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which of the following
laboratory values is the best indicator of protein status?
A) Serum albumin
B) Serum creatinine
C) Serum glucose
D) Serum sodium
**Correct Answer:** A) Serum albumin
**Rationale:** Serum albumin is a key indicator of protein status. Low
albumin levels (hypoalbuminemia) may indicate inadequate protein intake,
malnutrition, or chronic illness. Normal albumin range is 3.5-5.0 g/dL.
**4.** A nurse is teaching a client about ideal body weight (IBW). Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A) "My ideal body weight is based solely on my age."
B) "My ideal body weight is based on my height and can vary by plus or
minus 10% depending on my frame size."
C) "My ideal body weight is the same for everyone of my height."
D) "My ideal body weight is not important for my health."
**Correct Answer:** B) "My ideal body weight is based on my height and can
vary by plus or minus 10% depending on my frame size."
, **Rationale:** Ideal body weight (IBW) is calculated based on height, with
adjustments for frame size (plus or minus 10%). It is a useful reference for
assessing nutritional status.
**5.** A nurse is assessing a client for signs of malnutrition. Which of the
following physical findings is most indicative of inadequate nutrition?
A) Pale conjunctiva
B) Dry, brittle hair
C) Edema
D) All of the above
**Correct Answer:** D) All of the above
**Rationale:** Physical signs of malnutrition include pale conjunctiva (iron
deficiency), dry brittle hair (protein/essential fatty acid deficiency), and
edema (protein deficiency). A comprehensive clinical assessment evaluates
multiple physical findings.
**6.** A nurse is conducting a diet history interview. Which of the following
questions is most appropriate to assess a client's typical dietary intake?
A) "Do you eat breakfast every day?"
B) "Describe a typical day's food intake, including meals and snacks."
C) "How many calories do you think you eat each day?"
D) "Do you like vegetables?"
