ATI RN NUTRITION PROCTORED EXAM 2023-
2026 | NGN FORMAT | 250 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
GRADED A+/PDF.
Introduction
Welcome to the most comprehensive ATI RN Nutrition Proctored Exam 2023 study
guide available. This resource has been meticulously developed to help nursing students
successfully prepare for and pass the ATI Nutrition Proctored Examination—a
standardized assessment that tests competency in essential nutritional concepts across
the lifespan.
SECTION 1: NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT & BASIC
PRINCIPLES (Questions 1-30)
Q1. A nurse is teaching about the energy needed at rest to maintain life-sustaining
activities for a specific period of time. What is the nurse discussing?
Resting energy expenditure (REE)
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Nutrient density
Nutrients
Rationale: The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy needed at rest to maintain life-
sustaining activities for a specific period of time. The resting energy expenditure (REE) is
the amount of energy an individual needs to consume over a 24-hour period for the
body to maintain all internal working activities while at rest. Nutrients are elements
necessary for body processes. Nutrient density refers to the proportion of essential
nutrients to kilocalories.
, Q2. A nurse is performing a nutritional evaluation for a client who reports
paresthesia (numbness/tingling) of the hands and feet. The nurse should identify
this manifestation as an indication of which of the following dietary deficiencies?
Iron
Riboflavin
Vitamin C
Vitamin B12
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency causes peripheral neuropathy manifesting as
paresthesia (numbness and tingling) of the hands and feet due to demyelination of
peripheral nerves. Iron deficiency causes fatigue and pallor. Riboflavin (B2) deficiency
causes cheilosis and glossitis. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy (bleeding gums, poor
wound healing).
Q3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of an older adult client. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of malnutrition?
RBC count 5 million/mm³
Hemoglobin 16 g/dL
*Prealbumin 10 mg/dL*
WBC count 7,000/mm³
Rationale: Prealbumin is a protein synthesized by the liver with a short half-life (2-3
days), making it an excellent marker for acute nutritional status changes. Normal
prealbumin is 15-36 mg/dL; a level of 10 mg/dL indicates protein malnutrition. RBC,
hemoglobin, and WBC may be affected by malnutrition but are less specific indicators.
Q4. In general, when a patient's energy requirements are completely met by
kilocalorie intake in food, which assessment finding will the nurse observe?
Weight increases
Weight decreases
Weight does not change
Weight fluctuates daily
Rationale: When energy requirements are completely met by kilocalorie intake, weight
remains stable. Weight gain occurs when intake exceeds energy demands; weight loss
occurs when intake fails to meet energy demands.
Q5. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative. Which of the following
findings places the client at risk for delayed wound healing?
, Decreased albumin level
Increased zinc level
Increased vitamin A level
Decreased calcium level
Rationale: Decreased albumin indicates protein malnutrition, which is essential for tissue
repair and wound healing. Zinc and vitamin A are necessary for wound healing, so
decreased levels (not increased) would be problematic. Calcium is not directly involved
in wound healing.
Q6. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has Clostridium
difficile. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the
client is experiencing fluid volume deficit?
Potassium 3.5 mEq/L
HCT 53%
Sodium 145 mEq/L
HbA1c 5%
Rationale: HCT (hematocrit) is elevated in fluid volume deficit due to
hemoconcentration. Normal HCT for females is 37-47%, for males 42-52%. A level of
53% indicates dehydration. Electrolytes may be normal or altered; HbA1c measures
glucose control over 3 months and is unrelated to fluid status.
Q7. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has heart failure.
Which of the following findings indicates that the client is experiencing fluid
volume excess?
Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
*BUN 10 mg/dL*
Hgb 15 g/dL
Sodium 140 mEq/L
Rationale: BUN (blood urea nitrogen) may be decreased in fluid volume excess due to
dilution. Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL; 10 mg/dL is at the lower limit and can indicate
hemodilution. Creatinine, Hgb, and sodium may be normal in early fluid overload.
Q8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a body mass index (BMI) of 30. Four
weeks after nutritional counseling, which of the following evaluation findings
indicates the plan of care was followed?
BMI of 25
, Weight gain of 1.8 kg
BMI of 33
Weight loss of 2.7 kg
Rationale: A BMI of 30 indicates obesity. A weight loss of 2.7 kg (approximately 6
lbs) indicates the client followed the nutritional plan. Healthy weight loss is 0.5-1 kg (1-2
lbs) per week; 2.7 kg in 4 weeks is appropriate and achievable.
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who has malnutrition. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider?
BMI of 18.5
Potassium 3.7 mEq/L
Phosphorus 3.5 mg/dL
*Albumin 2.5 g/dL*
Rationale: *Albumin 2.5 g/dL* indicates severe protein malnutrition (normal range 3.5-
5.0 g/dL). This finding requires provider notification for nutritional intervention. BMI of
18.5 is at the lower limit of normal. Electrolytes are within normal ranges.
Q10. A nurse is teaching 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?
Phosphorus
Calcium
Chloride
Zinc
Rationale: Calcium is essential for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.
Calcium ions flow into nerve cells to trigger neurotransmitter release. Phosphorus is
important for bone health and ATP. Chloride maintains fluid balance. Zinc supports
immune function and wound healing.
Q11. A nurse is planning overall strategies to address problems for a client. Which
of the following strategies is the priority for the nurse to incorporate into the plan
of care?
Assess the client's nutritional status first
Implement dietary teaching
Consult the dietitian
Set weight loss goals
2026 | NGN FORMAT | 250 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
GRADED A+/PDF.
Introduction
Welcome to the most comprehensive ATI RN Nutrition Proctored Exam 2023 study
guide available. This resource has been meticulously developed to help nursing students
successfully prepare for and pass the ATI Nutrition Proctored Examination—a
standardized assessment that tests competency in essential nutritional concepts across
the lifespan.
SECTION 1: NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT & BASIC
PRINCIPLES (Questions 1-30)
Q1. A nurse is teaching about the energy needed at rest to maintain life-sustaining
activities for a specific period of time. What is the nurse discussing?
Resting energy expenditure (REE)
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Nutrient density
Nutrients
Rationale: The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy needed at rest to maintain life-
sustaining activities for a specific period of time. The resting energy expenditure (REE) is
the amount of energy an individual needs to consume over a 24-hour period for the
body to maintain all internal working activities while at rest. Nutrients are elements
necessary for body processes. Nutrient density refers to the proportion of essential
nutrients to kilocalories.
, Q2. A nurse is performing a nutritional evaluation for a client who reports
paresthesia (numbness/tingling) of the hands and feet. The nurse should identify
this manifestation as an indication of which of the following dietary deficiencies?
Iron
Riboflavin
Vitamin C
Vitamin B12
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency causes peripheral neuropathy manifesting as
paresthesia (numbness and tingling) of the hands and feet due to demyelination of
peripheral nerves. Iron deficiency causes fatigue and pallor. Riboflavin (B2) deficiency
causes cheilosis and glossitis. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy (bleeding gums, poor
wound healing).
Q3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of an older adult client. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of malnutrition?
RBC count 5 million/mm³
Hemoglobin 16 g/dL
*Prealbumin 10 mg/dL*
WBC count 7,000/mm³
Rationale: Prealbumin is a protein synthesized by the liver with a short half-life (2-3
days), making it an excellent marker for acute nutritional status changes. Normal
prealbumin is 15-36 mg/dL; a level of 10 mg/dL indicates protein malnutrition. RBC,
hemoglobin, and WBC may be affected by malnutrition but are less specific indicators.
Q4. In general, when a patient's energy requirements are completely met by
kilocalorie intake in food, which assessment finding will the nurse observe?
Weight increases
Weight decreases
Weight does not change
Weight fluctuates daily
Rationale: When energy requirements are completely met by kilocalorie intake, weight
remains stable. Weight gain occurs when intake exceeds energy demands; weight loss
occurs when intake fails to meet energy demands.
Q5. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative. Which of the following
findings places the client at risk for delayed wound healing?
, Decreased albumin level
Increased zinc level
Increased vitamin A level
Decreased calcium level
Rationale: Decreased albumin indicates protein malnutrition, which is essential for tissue
repair and wound healing. Zinc and vitamin A are necessary for wound healing, so
decreased levels (not increased) would be problematic. Calcium is not directly involved
in wound healing.
Q6. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has Clostridium
difficile. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the
client is experiencing fluid volume deficit?
Potassium 3.5 mEq/L
HCT 53%
Sodium 145 mEq/L
HbA1c 5%
Rationale: HCT (hematocrit) is elevated in fluid volume deficit due to
hemoconcentration. Normal HCT for females is 37-47%, for males 42-52%. A level of
53% indicates dehydration. Electrolytes may be normal or altered; HbA1c measures
glucose control over 3 months and is unrelated to fluid status.
Q7. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has heart failure.
Which of the following findings indicates that the client is experiencing fluid
volume excess?
Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
*BUN 10 mg/dL*
Hgb 15 g/dL
Sodium 140 mEq/L
Rationale: BUN (blood urea nitrogen) may be decreased in fluid volume excess due to
dilution. Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL; 10 mg/dL is at the lower limit and can indicate
hemodilution. Creatinine, Hgb, and sodium may be normal in early fluid overload.
Q8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a body mass index (BMI) of 30. Four
weeks after nutritional counseling, which of the following evaluation findings
indicates the plan of care was followed?
BMI of 25
, Weight gain of 1.8 kg
BMI of 33
Weight loss of 2.7 kg
Rationale: A BMI of 30 indicates obesity. A weight loss of 2.7 kg (approximately 6
lbs) indicates the client followed the nutritional plan. Healthy weight loss is 0.5-1 kg (1-2
lbs) per week; 2.7 kg in 4 weeks is appropriate and achievable.
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who has malnutrition. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider?
BMI of 18.5
Potassium 3.7 mEq/L
Phosphorus 3.5 mg/dL
*Albumin 2.5 g/dL*
Rationale: *Albumin 2.5 g/dL* indicates severe protein malnutrition (normal range 3.5-
5.0 g/dL). This finding requires provider notification for nutritional intervention. BMI of
18.5 is at the lower limit of normal. Electrolytes are within normal ranges.
Q10. A nurse is teaching 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?
Phosphorus
Calcium
Chloride
Zinc
Rationale: Calcium is essential for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.
Calcium ions flow into nerve cells to trigger neurotransmitter release. Phosphorus is
important for bone health and ATP. Chloride maintains fluid balance. Zinc supports
immune function and wound healing.
Q11. A nurse is planning overall strategies to address problems for a client. Which
of the following strategies is the priority for the nurse to incorporate into the plan
of care?
Assess the client's nutritional status first
Implement dietary teaching
Consult the dietitian
Set weight loss goals
