ATI RN Nutrition Proctored Exam 2026/2027 –
NGN Questions and Answers with Detailed
Rationales
SECTION I — BASIC NUTRITION PRINCIPLES
1. A nurse is teaching a client about carbohydrates. Which statement should the
nurse include?
A. Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy.
B. Carbohydrates are primarily used to build antibodies.
C. Carbohydrates provide no calories.
D. Carbohydrates are stored only in adipose tissue.
Answer: A
Rationale: Carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source. Excess
carbohydrate can be stored as glycogen and, when energy needs are exceeded,
converted to fat.
2. Which nutrient provides the greatest number of calories per gram?
A. Carbohydrate
B. Protein
C. Fat
D. Water
Answer: C
Rationale: Fat provides approximately 9 kcal/g, while carbohydrates and proteins
provide approximately 4 kcal/g.
,3. Which nutrients provide approximately 4 kcal/g?
A. Fat and alcohol
B. Protein and carbohydrate
C. Water and minerals
D. Vitamins and minerals
Answer: B
Rationale: Protein and carbohydrate each provide approximately 4 kcal/g. Fat
provides about 9 kcal/g.
4. Which nutrient is essential for tissue growth and repair?
A. Protein
B. Water
C. Sodium
D. Vitamin C only
Answer: A
Rationale: Protein provides amino acids required for tissue synthesis, repair,
enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and other physiologic functions.
5. A client asks why adequate protein intake is important after surgery. Which
response is appropriate?
A. "Protein promotes tissue repair and wound healing."
B. "Protein prevents all infections."
C. "Protein eliminates the need for carbohydrates."
D. "Protein prevents fluid loss."
Answer: A
Rationale: Protein is essential for collagen formation, tissue repair, immune
function, and wound healing.
,6. Which vitamin is fat soluble?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin B1
C. Vitamin D
D. Folate
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. Vitamins B and C are water-
soluble.
7. Which vitamins are water soluble?
A. A and D
B. D and K
C. B-complex and C
D. A and E
Answer: C
Rationale: B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble and generally
require regular dietary intake.
8. Which mineral is important for oxygen transport?
A. Iron
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: Iron is a component of hemoglobin and is essential for oxygen
transport.
9. Which mineral is especially important for bone formation?
, A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Chloride
D. Zinc
Answer: A
Rationale: Calcium contributes to bone and tooth structure and also participates
in neuromuscular and cardiovascular functions.
10. Which nutrient helps maintain fluid balance and nerve transmission?
A. Sodium
B. Vitamin C
C. Protein only
D. Iron
Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium is a major extracellular electrolyte involved in fluid balance,
nerve transmission, and muscle function.
11. A nurse is assessing a client for dehydration. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Concentrated urine
C. Clear urine
D. Stable weight
Answer: B
Rationale: Concentrated urine is a common sign of inadequate fluid intake or
excessive fluid loss.
12. Which assessment provides the most direct information about recent fluid
balance?
NGN Questions and Answers with Detailed
Rationales
SECTION I — BASIC NUTRITION PRINCIPLES
1. A nurse is teaching a client about carbohydrates. Which statement should the
nurse include?
A. Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy.
B. Carbohydrates are primarily used to build antibodies.
C. Carbohydrates provide no calories.
D. Carbohydrates are stored only in adipose tissue.
Answer: A
Rationale: Carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source. Excess
carbohydrate can be stored as glycogen and, when energy needs are exceeded,
converted to fat.
2. Which nutrient provides the greatest number of calories per gram?
A. Carbohydrate
B. Protein
C. Fat
D. Water
Answer: C
Rationale: Fat provides approximately 9 kcal/g, while carbohydrates and proteins
provide approximately 4 kcal/g.
,3. Which nutrients provide approximately 4 kcal/g?
A. Fat and alcohol
B. Protein and carbohydrate
C. Water and minerals
D. Vitamins and minerals
Answer: B
Rationale: Protein and carbohydrate each provide approximately 4 kcal/g. Fat
provides about 9 kcal/g.
4. Which nutrient is essential for tissue growth and repair?
A. Protein
B. Water
C. Sodium
D. Vitamin C only
Answer: A
Rationale: Protein provides amino acids required for tissue synthesis, repair,
enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and other physiologic functions.
5. A client asks why adequate protein intake is important after surgery. Which
response is appropriate?
A. "Protein promotes tissue repair and wound healing."
B. "Protein prevents all infections."
C. "Protein eliminates the need for carbohydrates."
D. "Protein prevents fluid loss."
Answer: A
Rationale: Protein is essential for collagen formation, tissue repair, immune
function, and wound healing.
,6. Which vitamin is fat soluble?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin B1
C. Vitamin D
D. Folate
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. Vitamins B and C are water-
soluble.
7. Which vitamins are water soluble?
A. A and D
B. D and K
C. B-complex and C
D. A and E
Answer: C
Rationale: B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble and generally
require regular dietary intake.
8. Which mineral is important for oxygen transport?
A. Iron
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: Iron is a component of hemoglobin and is essential for oxygen
transport.
9. Which mineral is especially important for bone formation?
, A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Chloride
D. Zinc
Answer: A
Rationale: Calcium contributes to bone and tooth structure and also participates
in neuromuscular and cardiovascular functions.
10. Which nutrient helps maintain fluid balance and nerve transmission?
A. Sodium
B. Vitamin C
C. Protein only
D. Iron
Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium is a major extracellular electrolyte involved in fluid balance,
nerve transmission, and muscle function.
11. A nurse is assessing a client for dehydration. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Concentrated urine
C. Clear urine
D. Stable weight
Answer: B
Rationale: Concentrated urine is a common sign of inadequate fluid intake or
excessive fluid loss.
12. Which assessment provides the most direct information about recent fluid
balance?
