ATI RN NUTRITION PROCTORED EXAM 2026/2027
— COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
With NGN-Style Questions, ANSWERs, and
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NUTRITION & MACRONUTRIENTS
Questions 1–30
Question 1
A client asks the nurse which macronutrient provides the most energy per gram. How should the nurse
respond?
A) Carbohydrates – 4 kcal/g
B) Protein – 4 kcal/g
C) Fats – 9 kcal/g
D) Alcohol – 7 kcal/g
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: Fats provide 9 kcal per gram, the most energy-dense macronutrient. Carbohydrates and
proteins each provide 4 kcal per gram, while alcohol provides 7 kcal per gram but is not considered a
nutrient.
Question 2
A nurse is teaching a client about the six classes of essential nutrients. Which of the following should the
nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
,A) Carbohydrates
B) Proteins
C) Fats
D) Vitamins
E) Minerals
F) Water
Correct ANSWER: A, B, C, D, E, F
Rationale: The six classes of essential nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and
water. Each plays a vital role in maintaining health.
Question 3
A client asks the nurse, "What is the difference between essential and nonessential nutrients?" Which
response is correct?
A) Essential nutrients are needed in larger amounts than nonessential nutrients.
B) Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from food.
C) Nonessential nutrients are not important for health.
D) Essential nutrients are only found in animal products.
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: Essential nutrients cannot be made by the body in sufficient amounts and must be obtained
through the diet. Nonessential nutrients can be synthesized by the body.
Question 4
What percentage of daily caloric intake should come from carbohydrates according to the Acceptable
Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR)?
,A) 10% to 20%
B) 20% to 35%
C) 45% to 65%
D) 65% to 80%
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: The AMDR recommends that 45% to 65% of daily caloric intake come from carbohydrates.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client about the difference between complete and incomplete proteins. Which of
the following selections represents a complete protein?
A) Lentils
B) Peanut butter on whole wheat bread
C) Tofu stir-fry with rice
D) Grilled chicken breast
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids and are primarily found in animal
sources (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy) and soy. Chicken is a complete protein; lentils, rice, and peanut
butter are incomplete.
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of a complete protein?
A) Legumes
B) Almonds
, C) Salmon
D) Gelatin
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids. Animal proteins like salmon,
chicken, eggs, and milk are complete. Most plant proteins (legumes, nuts, grains) are incomplete, lacking
one or more essential amino acids.
Question 7
A client asks the nurse which type of fat is considered most "heart healthy." The nurse should
recommend foods high in:
A) Saturated fats
B) Trans fats
C) Monounsaturated fats
D) Hydrogenated oils
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts) lower LDL cholesterol.
Saturated and trans fats (butter, fried foods) increase cardiovascular risk.
Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a group of clients about vitamins and minerals. The nurse should include
that which of the following minerals is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses?
A) Phosphorus
B) Calcium
C) Chloride
— COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
With NGN-Style Questions, ANSWERs, and
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NUTRITION & MACRONUTRIENTS
Questions 1–30
Question 1
A client asks the nurse which macronutrient provides the most energy per gram. How should the nurse
respond?
A) Carbohydrates – 4 kcal/g
B) Protein – 4 kcal/g
C) Fats – 9 kcal/g
D) Alcohol – 7 kcal/g
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: Fats provide 9 kcal per gram, the most energy-dense macronutrient. Carbohydrates and
proteins each provide 4 kcal per gram, while alcohol provides 7 kcal per gram but is not considered a
nutrient.
Question 2
A nurse is teaching a client about the six classes of essential nutrients. Which of the following should the
nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
,A) Carbohydrates
B) Proteins
C) Fats
D) Vitamins
E) Minerals
F) Water
Correct ANSWER: A, B, C, D, E, F
Rationale: The six classes of essential nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and
water. Each plays a vital role in maintaining health.
Question 3
A client asks the nurse, "What is the difference between essential and nonessential nutrients?" Which
response is correct?
A) Essential nutrients are needed in larger amounts than nonessential nutrients.
B) Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from food.
C) Nonessential nutrients are not important for health.
D) Essential nutrients are only found in animal products.
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: Essential nutrients cannot be made by the body in sufficient amounts and must be obtained
through the diet. Nonessential nutrients can be synthesized by the body.
Question 4
What percentage of daily caloric intake should come from carbohydrates according to the Acceptable
Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR)?
,A) 10% to 20%
B) 20% to 35%
C) 45% to 65%
D) 65% to 80%
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: The AMDR recommends that 45% to 65% of daily caloric intake come from carbohydrates.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client about the difference between complete and incomplete proteins. Which of
the following selections represents a complete protein?
A) Lentils
B) Peanut butter on whole wheat bread
C) Tofu stir-fry with rice
D) Grilled chicken breast
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids and are primarily found in animal
sources (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy) and soy. Chicken is a complete protein; lentils, rice, and peanut
butter are incomplete.
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of a complete protein?
A) Legumes
B) Almonds
, C) Salmon
D) Gelatin
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids. Animal proteins like salmon,
chicken, eggs, and milk are complete. Most plant proteins (legumes, nuts, grains) are incomplete, lacking
one or more essential amino acids.
Question 7
A client asks the nurse which type of fat is considered most "heart healthy." The nurse should
recommend foods high in:
A) Saturated fats
B) Trans fats
C) Monounsaturated fats
D) Hydrogenated oils
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts) lower LDL cholesterol.
Saturated and trans fats (butter, fried foods) increase cardiovascular risk.
Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a group of clients about vitamins and minerals. The nurse should include
that which of the following minerals is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses?
A) Phosphorus
B) Calcium
C) Chloride
