ATI RN Nutrition 2026 Actual and
Retake Proctored Exam Package All
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Section 1: Principles of Nutrition & Macronutrients (Q1–Q15)
1. A nurse is teaching a client about complete proteins. Which foods should the
nurse identify as complete proteins? (SATA)
A. Eggs
B. Black beans
C. Chicken breast
D. Brown rice
E. Greek yogurt
Correct: A, C, E
Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts
and come from animal sources (eggs, poultry, dairy, fish) and soy. Black beans and
brown rice are incomplete plant proteins but form a complete profile when
combined.
2. A client asks how many calories are in one gram of carbohydrate. The nurse
should respond:
A. 4 kcal
B. 7 kcal
C. 9 kcal
D. 2 kcal
Correct: A
Carbohydrate and protein each provide 4 kcal/g; fat provides 9 kcal/g; alcohol
provides 7 kcal/g.
3. A nurse is reviewing dietary fiber. Which statement by the client indicates
correct understanding?
,A. "Insoluble fiber slows gastric emptying and lowers cholesterol."
B. "Soluble fiber adds bulk and prevents constipation."
C. "Soluble fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol and manage blood glucose."
D. "Fiber should be increased rapidly to 50 g/day."
Correct: C
Soluble fiber (oats, barley, legumes, apples) forms a gel that binds cholesterol
and slows glucose absorption. Insoluble fiber (wheat bran, vegetables) adds bulk
and prevents constipation. Fiber should be increased gradually with adequate
fluids.
4. A nurse is caring for a client on a high-protein diet. The client asks which food
provides the most protein per 3-oz serving. The nurse should recommend:
A. Whole milk, 1 cup
B. Peanut butter, 2 tbsp
C. Lean beef, 3 oz
D. Cooked lentils, ½ cup
Correct: C
A 3-oz serving of lean beef provides about 21–24 g protein; 1 cup milk ≈ 8 g; 2
tbsp peanut butter ≈ 7 g; ½ cup lentils ≈ 9 g.
5. A nurse is teaching about essential fatty acids. Which are essential and must be
obtained from the diet? (SATA)
A. Linoleic acid (omega-6)
B. Oleic acid (omega-9)
C. Alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3)
D. Palmitic acid
E. Arachidonic acid
Correct: A, C
Linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) are the two essential fatty
,acids. Oleic acid and palmitic acid are nonessential; arachidonic acid can be
synthesized from linoleic acid.
6. A client with celiac disease asks which grain is safe. The nurse should
recommend:
A. Wheat
B. Barley
C. Rye
D. Quinoa
Correct: D
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Wheat, barley, rye, and triticale contain gluten
and must be avoided in celiac disease.
7. A nurse is calculating a client's BMI. The client weighs 82 kg and is 1.7 m tall.
What is the BMI? (Round to one decimal.)
A. 24.5
B. 28.4
C. 30.1
D. 32.6
Correct: B
BMI = kg/m² = 82 ÷ (1.7 × 1.7) = 82 ÷ 2.89 = 28.4 (overweight range 25–29.9).
8. A nurse is reviewing the role of carbohydrates in the body. Which is the primary
function?
A. Building muscle tissue
B. Providing the body's preferred energy source
C. Transporting fat-soluble vitamins
D. Regulating body temperature
, Correct: B
Carbohydrates (glucose) are the body's preferred and most efficient energy
source, especially for the brain and RBCs.
9. A client following a ketogenic diet asks which macronutrient is increased. The
nurse should say:
A. Carbohydrate
B. Protein
C. Fat
D. Fiber
Correct: C
A ketogenic diet is very high in fat (≈70–80% kcal), moderate protein, and very
low carbohydrate (usually <20–50 g/day) to induce ketosis.
10. A nurse is teaching about protein needs for a healthy adult. The RDA is:
A. 0.4 g/kg/day
B. 0.8 g/kg/day
C. 1.5 g/kg/day
D. 2.0 g/kg/day
Correct: B
The RDA for protein for healthy adults is 0.8 g/kg/day. Needs increase with
stress, burns, pregnancy, and wound healing (1.2–2.0 g/kg).
11. A nurse is assessing a client for signs of essential fatty acid deficiency. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Dry, scaly skin
B. Night blindness
C. Bleeding gums
D. Muscle wasting
Retake Proctored Exam Package All
Versions
Section 1: Principles of Nutrition & Macronutrients (Q1–Q15)
1. A nurse is teaching a client about complete proteins. Which foods should the
nurse identify as complete proteins? (SATA)
A. Eggs
B. Black beans
C. Chicken breast
D. Brown rice
E. Greek yogurt
Correct: A, C, E
Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts
and come from animal sources (eggs, poultry, dairy, fish) and soy. Black beans and
brown rice are incomplete plant proteins but form a complete profile when
combined.
2. A client asks how many calories are in one gram of carbohydrate. The nurse
should respond:
A. 4 kcal
B. 7 kcal
C. 9 kcal
D. 2 kcal
Correct: A
Carbohydrate and protein each provide 4 kcal/g; fat provides 9 kcal/g; alcohol
provides 7 kcal/g.
3. A nurse is reviewing dietary fiber. Which statement by the client indicates
correct understanding?
,A. "Insoluble fiber slows gastric emptying and lowers cholesterol."
B. "Soluble fiber adds bulk and prevents constipation."
C. "Soluble fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol and manage blood glucose."
D. "Fiber should be increased rapidly to 50 g/day."
Correct: C
Soluble fiber (oats, barley, legumes, apples) forms a gel that binds cholesterol
and slows glucose absorption. Insoluble fiber (wheat bran, vegetables) adds bulk
and prevents constipation. Fiber should be increased gradually with adequate
fluids.
4. A nurse is caring for a client on a high-protein diet. The client asks which food
provides the most protein per 3-oz serving. The nurse should recommend:
A. Whole milk, 1 cup
B. Peanut butter, 2 tbsp
C. Lean beef, 3 oz
D. Cooked lentils, ½ cup
Correct: C
A 3-oz serving of lean beef provides about 21–24 g protein; 1 cup milk ≈ 8 g; 2
tbsp peanut butter ≈ 7 g; ½ cup lentils ≈ 9 g.
5. A nurse is teaching about essential fatty acids. Which are essential and must be
obtained from the diet? (SATA)
A. Linoleic acid (omega-6)
B. Oleic acid (omega-9)
C. Alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3)
D. Palmitic acid
E. Arachidonic acid
Correct: A, C
Linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) are the two essential fatty
,acids. Oleic acid and palmitic acid are nonessential; arachidonic acid can be
synthesized from linoleic acid.
6. A client with celiac disease asks which grain is safe. The nurse should
recommend:
A. Wheat
B. Barley
C. Rye
D. Quinoa
Correct: D
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Wheat, barley, rye, and triticale contain gluten
and must be avoided in celiac disease.
7. A nurse is calculating a client's BMI. The client weighs 82 kg and is 1.7 m tall.
What is the BMI? (Round to one decimal.)
A. 24.5
B. 28.4
C. 30.1
D. 32.6
Correct: B
BMI = kg/m² = 82 ÷ (1.7 × 1.7) = 82 ÷ 2.89 = 28.4 (overweight range 25–29.9).
8. A nurse is reviewing the role of carbohydrates in the body. Which is the primary
function?
A. Building muscle tissue
B. Providing the body's preferred energy source
C. Transporting fat-soluble vitamins
D. Regulating body temperature
, Correct: B
Carbohydrates (glucose) are the body's preferred and most efficient energy
source, especially for the brain and RBCs.
9. A client following a ketogenic diet asks which macronutrient is increased. The
nurse should say:
A. Carbohydrate
B. Protein
C. Fat
D. Fiber
Correct: C
A ketogenic diet is very high in fat (≈70–80% kcal), moderate protein, and very
low carbohydrate (usually <20–50 g/day) to induce ketosis.
10. A nurse is teaching about protein needs for a healthy adult. The RDA is:
A. 0.4 g/kg/day
B. 0.8 g/kg/day
C. 1.5 g/kg/day
D. 2.0 g/kg/day
Correct: B
The RDA for protein for healthy adults is 0.8 g/kg/day. Needs increase with
stress, burns, pregnancy, and wound healing (1.2–2.0 g/kg).
11. A nurse is assessing a client for signs of essential fatty acid deficiency. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Dry, scaly skin
B. Night blindness
C. Bleeding gums
D. Muscle wasting
