ATI NUTRITION RETAKE KEY CONCEPTS FOR
NURSING STUDENTS FLEXIBILITY EXAM LATEST
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026-2027
1. Oliguric AKI fluid Answers : Next 24 hr fluid = previous 24 hr urine output + about 500 mL
2. Percent weight loss Answers : (Usual weight - current weight) / usual weight x 100
3. Supplement calories Answers : oz x 30 mL/oz x calories/mL
4. Calories per gram Answers : Carbohydrate 4; protein 4; fat 9; alcohol 7
5. Fluid weight Answers : About 1 kg rapid weight change = about 1 L fluid
6. Dehydration Answers : Tachycardia, hypotension, dry mucosa, low urine; Hct/BUN/urine specific gravity rise
7. Fluid excess Answers : Rapid gain, edema, crackles, JVD, bounding pulse; Hct/BUN may fall from dilution
8. Refeeding syndrome Answers : Phosphorus falls first/most characteristically; also low K and Mg
9. TPN suddenly unavailable Answers : D10W at the prescribed TPN rate; do not abruptly stop or catch up
10. New feeding tube Answers : X-ray verifies initial placement before first feeding
11. Dumping syndrome Answers : Small high-protein meals; low simple sugar; fluids between meals; lie down after
12. Albumin Answers : 3.5-5.0 g/dL; low may suggest poor protein status but also changes with inflammation/fluid status
13. Prealbumin Answers : About 15-36 mg/dL; ATI uses the trend to evaluate short-term nutrition/TPN response
14. Potassium Answers : 3.5-5.0 mEq/L; low K is especially dangerous with vomiting, diarrhea, bulimia, or diuretics
15. Sodium Answers : 136-145 mEq/L
16. BUN / creatinine Answers : BUN about 10-20 mg/dL; creatinine about 0.6-1.2 mg/dL (ranges vary slightly)
17. BMI Answers : Underweight <18.5; expected 18.5-24.9; overweight 25-29.9; obesity >=30
18. A1c Answers : Most nonpregnant adults : commonly <7% goal, individualized. 5% is normal, not a universal diabetes goal.
19. Sodium intake Answers : Common ATI answer : <2,300 mg/day; heart failure/ascites often about 2,000 mg/day if
prescribed
20. Enteral nutrition Answers : Use enteral nutrition when possible. It preserves gut function and has fewer blood-stream
risks than PN.
21. Parenteral nutrition Answers : May be needed : obstruction, severe malabsorption, prolonged ileus, bowel rest, or
inability to meet needs enterally.
22. Initial NG/feeding-tube placement Answers : Confirm with x-ray. Do not rely on air-bolus auscultation.
23. During enteral feeding Answers : HOB 30-45 degrees; monitor tolerance, abdomen, stool, glucose, I&O; follow facility
protocol for residuals.
24. Prevent tube clogging Answers : Flush with water before/after medications and at least every 4 hr during
continuous feeding; give medications separately.
25. Cramping/distention Answers : Stop or pause as appropriate and assess : check tube/feeding tolerance and
gastric residual per protocol.
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, ATI NUTRITION RETAKE KEY CONCEPTS FOR
NURSING STUDENTS FLEXIBILITY EXAM LATEST
26. Diarrhea with tube feeding Answers : Check rate, formula temperature/osmolality, contamination, medica-tions
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026-2027
(especially liquid sorbitol), and infection.
27. Constipation with tube feeding Answers : Increase prescribed water flushes, fiber-containing formula if
appropriate, and activity; review constipating medications.
28. TPN Answers : the testable essentials Answers : Use a dedicated central line and infusion pump; strict sterile technique.
29. Evaluate nutrition Answers : Evaluate nutrition with weight trend, healing, strength/function, intake, and preal-bumin
trend.
30. Dysphagia and weakness Answers : Sit upright near 90 degrees; chin-tuck/head forward if prescribed;
thickened liquids; small bites.
31. Celiac disease Answers : Rice, corn, potatoes, quinoa, tapioca; certified gluten-free oats only.
32. Cholecystitis/cholelithiasis Answers : Low-fat; baked, broiled, roasted, steamed foods.
33. Pancreatitis Answers : Acute severe : bowel rest initially as ordered, then early enteral feeding when feasible.
34. GERD Answers : Small meals; remain upright 2-3 hr; elevate HOB; weight reduction if indicated.
35. Ulcerative colitis/Crohn flare Answers : High-calorie/high-protein; low-residue/low-fiber during flare; flu-
ids/electrolytes; supplements.
36. IBS Answers : Individualized trigger diary; soluble fiber and fluids for constipation; low-FODMAP trial with guidance may help.
37. Diverticulosis Answers : High fiber + fluids
38. Diarrhea Answers : Fluids + electrolytes; low-fiber/easy-to-digest choices initially; yogurt may help after antibiotics when
appropriate
39. Acute symptoms dietary restrictions Answers : High-fat, high-fiber, spicy foods and catteine during acute
symptoms
40. Constipation management Answers : Fiber gradually + fluids + activity; fruits, vegetables, whole grains
41. Adding fiber without water Answers : Can worsen constipation; calcium/iron/opioids can contribute
42. Cirrhosis with ascites dietary restrictions Answers : Sodium about 2 g/day; fluids only if ordered;
adequate protein unless specifically restricted
43. Low clotting-factor production Answers : Means bleeding risk, not clotting risk
44. Post-gastric bypass dietary guidelines Answers : Small frequent meals; eat protein first; chew thorough-ly; stop
when full; no fluids with meals
45. Dumping syndrome prevention Answers : Avoid concentrated sweets
46. Lifelong supplementation after gastric bypass Answers : May include vitamin B12, iron, folate,
calcium citrate, and vitamin D
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NURSING STUDENTS FLEXIBILITY EXAM LATEST
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026-2027
1. Oliguric AKI fluid Answers : Next 24 hr fluid = previous 24 hr urine output + about 500 mL
2. Percent weight loss Answers : (Usual weight - current weight) / usual weight x 100
3. Supplement calories Answers : oz x 30 mL/oz x calories/mL
4. Calories per gram Answers : Carbohydrate 4; protein 4; fat 9; alcohol 7
5. Fluid weight Answers : About 1 kg rapid weight change = about 1 L fluid
6. Dehydration Answers : Tachycardia, hypotension, dry mucosa, low urine; Hct/BUN/urine specific gravity rise
7. Fluid excess Answers : Rapid gain, edema, crackles, JVD, bounding pulse; Hct/BUN may fall from dilution
8. Refeeding syndrome Answers : Phosphorus falls first/most characteristically; also low K and Mg
9. TPN suddenly unavailable Answers : D10W at the prescribed TPN rate; do not abruptly stop or catch up
10. New feeding tube Answers : X-ray verifies initial placement before first feeding
11. Dumping syndrome Answers : Small high-protein meals; low simple sugar; fluids between meals; lie down after
12. Albumin Answers : 3.5-5.0 g/dL; low may suggest poor protein status but also changes with inflammation/fluid status
13. Prealbumin Answers : About 15-36 mg/dL; ATI uses the trend to evaluate short-term nutrition/TPN response
14. Potassium Answers : 3.5-5.0 mEq/L; low K is especially dangerous with vomiting, diarrhea, bulimia, or diuretics
15. Sodium Answers : 136-145 mEq/L
16. BUN / creatinine Answers : BUN about 10-20 mg/dL; creatinine about 0.6-1.2 mg/dL (ranges vary slightly)
17. BMI Answers : Underweight <18.5; expected 18.5-24.9; overweight 25-29.9; obesity >=30
18. A1c Answers : Most nonpregnant adults : commonly <7% goal, individualized. 5% is normal, not a universal diabetes goal.
19. Sodium intake Answers : Common ATI answer : <2,300 mg/day; heart failure/ascites often about 2,000 mg/day if
prescribed
20. Enteral nutrition Answers : Use enteral nutrition when possible. It preserves gut function and has fewer blood-stream
risks than PN.
21. Parenteral nutrition Answers : May be needed : obstruction, severe malabsorption, prolonged ileus, bowel rest, or
inability to meet needs enterally.
22. Initial NG/feeding-tube placement Answers : Confirm with x-ray. Do not rely on air-bolus auscultation.
23. During enteral feeding Answers : HOB 30-45 degrees; monitor tolerance, abdomen, stool, glucose, I&O; follow facility
protocol for residuals.
24. Prevent tube clogging Answers : Flush with water before/after medications and at least every 4 hr during
continuous feeding; give medications separately.
25. Cramping/distention Answers : Stop or pause as appropriate and assess : check tube/feeding tolerance and
gastric residual per protocol.
1/6
, ATI NUTRITION RETAKE KEY CONCEPTS FOR
NURSING STUDENTS FLEXIBILITY EXAM LATEST
26. Diarrhea with tube feeding Answers : Check rate, formula temperature/osmolality, contamination, medica-tions
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026-2027
(especially liquid sorbitol), and infection.
27. Constipation with tube feeding Answers : Increase prescribed water flushes, fiber-containing formula if
appropriate, and activity; review constipating medications.
28. TPN Answers : the testable essentials Answers : Use a dedicated central line and infusion pump; strict sterile technique.
29. Evaluate nutrition Answers : Evaluate nutrition with weight trend, healing, strength/function, intake, and preal-bumin
trend.
30. Dysphagia and weakness Answers : Sit upright near 90 degrees; chin-tuck/head forward if prescribed;
thickened liquids; small bites.
31. Celiac disease Answers : Rice, corn, potatoes, quinoa, tapioca; certified gluten-free oats only.
32. Cholecystitis/cholelithiasis Answers : Low-fat; baked, broiled, roasted, steamed foods.
33. Pancreatitis Answers : Acute severe : bowel rest initially as ordered, then early enteral feeding when feasible.
34. GERD Answers : Small meals; remain upright 2-3 hr; elevate HOB; weight reduction if indicated.
35. Ulcerative colitis/Crohn flare Answers : High-calorie/high-protein; low-residue/low-fiber during flare; flu-
ids/electrolytes; supplements.
36. IBS Answers : Individualized trigger diary; soluble fiber and fluids for constipation; low-FODMAP trial with guidance may help.
37. Diverticulosis Answers : High fiber + fluids
38. Diarrhea Answers : Fluids + electrolytes; low-fiber/easy-to-digest choices initially; yogurt may help after antibiotics when
appropriate
39. Acute symptoms dietary restrictions Answers : High-fat, high-fiber, spicy foods and catteine during acute
symptoms
40. Constipation management Answers : Fiber gradually + fluids + activity; fruits, vegetables, whole grains
41. Adding fiber without water Answers : Can worsen constipation; calcium/iron/opioids can contribute
42. Cirrhosis with ascites dietary restrictions Answers : Sodium about 2 g/day; fluids only if ordered;
adequate protein unless specifically restricted
43. Low clotting-factor production Answers : Means bleeding risk, not clotting risk
44. Post-gastric bypass dietary guidelines Answers : Small frequent meals; eat protein first; chew thorough-ly; stop
when full; no fluids with meals
45. Dumping syndrome prevention Answers : Avoid concentrated sweets
46. Lifelong supplementation after gastric bypass Answers : May include vitamin B12, iron, folate,
calcium citrate, and vitamin D
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