ATI NGN NUTRITION PROCTORED EXAM EXAM
with Questions and Answers/Plus a Rationale
Updated 2026 A+/Instant Download PDF
EXAM COVERAGE
1. Therapeutic Diets and Clinical Nutrition
2. Nutritional Assessment and Lab Data Interpretation
3. Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support
4. Nutrition Across the Lifespan
5. Food Safety and Drug-Nutrient Interactions
6. Nutritional Needs for Chronic Disease Management
7. Cultural, Religious, and Ethical Nutritional Considerations
1. A nurse is caring for a client with stage 4 chronic kidney disease who has a serum potassium
level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which food item should the nurse instruct the client to eliminate from their
diet?
A. White rice
B. Bananas
C. Applesauce
D. Green beans
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
, Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and must be restricted in clients with hyperkalemia.
White rice, applesauce, and green beans are considered low-potassium foods and are generally
safe for this dietary modification.
2. A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and has a
sudden increase in blood glucose. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Decrease the infusion rate
B. Assess for signs of infection at the central line site
C. Administer an oral hypoglycemic agent
D. Discontinue the TPN infusion immediately
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Hyperglycemia in a client receiving TPN can be an early indicator of sepsis related
to catheter contamination. Assessing the site is critical, whereas changing the infusion rate
without provider orders or stopping TPN abruptly (which risks rebound hypoglycemia) is unsafe.
3. A client with a new diagnosis of celiac disease asks about dietary changes. Which grain should
the nurse advise the client to avoid?
A. Quinoa
B. Brown rice
C. Wheat
D. Buckwheat
Answer: C
CORRECT ANSWER : C
Rationale: Celiac disease requires a lifelong gluten-free diet, and wheat contains gluten, which
triggers the autoimmune response. Quinoa, brown rice, and buckwheat are naturally gluten-free
and are appropriate substitutes.
4. A nurse is teaching a client with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones about dietary
modifications. Which action should the nurse recommend?
A. Increase intake of vitamin C supplements
, B. Maintain a consistent calcium intake from food sources
C. Eliminate all dairy products from the diet
D. Increase intake of high-oxalate foods like spinach
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Dietary calcium binds with oxalate in the gut, preventing its absorption and
subsequent excretion in the urine, which helps reduce stone formation. High-oxalate foods
should be limited, and vitamin C can be metabolized into oxalate, increasing risk.
5. A nurse is evaluating a client's understanding of a low-residue diet. Which food choice by the
client indicates understanding?
A. Raw broccoli
B. White toast
C. Whole-grain cereal
D. Dried beans
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: A low-residue diet limits fiber to decrease bowel activity; white bread products are
refined and low in fiber. Broccoli, whole grains, and beans are high-fiber foods that should be
avoided on this diet.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with dysphagia. Which intervention is the most effective way to
prevent aspiration during oral intake?
A. Providing thin liquids for ease of swallowing
B. Ensuring the client remains upright for 30 minutes after meals
C. Mixing medication with thick liquids
D. Encouraging the client to eat quickly to prevent fatigue
Answer: B
, CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Keeping the client upright utilizes gravity to facilitate esophageal transit and prevent
reflux/aspiration. Thin liquids are actually a high aspiration risk for dysphagia patients, and
speed of eating should be controlled.
7. A client with type 2 diabetes asks how to incorporate carbohydrates into their diet. What is the
best evidence-based response?
A. "You must eliminate all carbohydrates from your diet."
B. "Focus on consistent carbohydrate intake and complex fiber-rich sources."
C. "You should only eat carbohydrates in the morning."
D. "Carbohydrates do not affect your blood glucose levels."
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Diabetes management focuses on carbohydrate consistency and quality
(complex/fiber-rich) rather than total elimination. Eliminating carbs is not sustainable, and
timing does not replace the need for consistency.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with severe protein-calorie malnutrition. Which laboratory marker is
the most sensitive indicator of acute nutritional status changes?
A. Serum albumin
B. Prealbumin
C. Serum transferrin
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Prealbumin has a much shorter half-life (approximately 2 days) than albumin (20
days), making it a superior, real-time indicator of recent protein synthesis and nutritional status.
Other options are slower to change in response to nutritional intervention.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about vitamin B12 deficiency. The client is a strict vegan. Which
source should the nurse recommend?
with Questions and Answers/Plus a Rationale
Updated 2026 A+/Instant Download PDF
EXAM COVERAGE
1. Therapeutic Diets and Clinical Nutrition
2. Nutritional Assessment and Lab Data Interpretation
3. Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support
4. Nutrition Across the Lifespan
5. Food Safety and Drug-Nutrient Interactions
6. Nutritional Needs for Chronic Disease Management
7. Cultural, Religious, and Ethical Nutritional Considerations
1. A nurse is caring for a client with stage 4 chronic kidney disease who has a serum potassium
level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which food item should the nurse instruct the client to eliminate from their
diet?
A. White rice
B. Bananas
C. Applesauce
D. Green beans
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
, Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and must be restricted in clients with hyperkalemia.
White rice, applesauce, and green beans are considered low-potassium foods and are generally
safe for this dietary modification.
2. A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and has a
sudden increase in blood glucose. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Decrease the infusion rate
B. Assess for signs of infection at the central line site
C. Administer an oral hypoglycemic agent
D. Discontinue the TPN infusion immediately
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Hyperglycemia in a client receiving TPN can be an early indicator of sepsis related
to catheter contamination. Assessing the site is critical, whereas changing the infusion rate
without provider orders or stopping TPN abruptly (which risks rebound hypoglycemia) is unsafe.
3. A client with a new diagnosis of celiac disease asks about dietary changes. Which grain should
the nurse advise the client to avoid?
A. Quinoa
B. Brown rice
C. Wheat
D. Buckwheat
Answer: C
CORRECT ANSWER : C
Rationale: Celiac disease requires a lifelong gluten-free diet, and wheat contains gluten, which
triggers the autoimmune response. Quinoa, brown rice, and buckwheat are naturally gluten-free
and are appropriate substitutes.
4. A nurse is teaching a client with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones about dietary
modifications. Which action should the nurse recommend?
A. Increase intake of vitamin C supplements
, B. Maintain a consistent calcium intake from food sources
C. Eliminate all dairy products from the diet
D. Increase intake of high-oxalate foods like spinach
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Dietary calcium binds with oxalate in the gut, preventing its absorption and
subsequent excretion in the urine, which helps reduce stone formation. High-oxalate foods
should be limited, and vitamin C can be metabolized into oxalate, increasing risk.
5. A nurse is evaluating a client's understanding of a low-residue diet. Which food choice by the
client indicates understanding?
A. Raw broccoli
B. White toast
C. Whole-grain cereal
D. Dried beans
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: A low-residue diet limits fiber to decrease bowel activity; white bread products are
refined and low in fiber. Broccoli, whole grains, and beans are high-fiber foods that should be
avoided on this diet.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with dysphagia. Which intervention is the most effective way to
prevent aspiration during oral intake?
A. Providing thin liquids for ease of swallowing
B. Ensuring the client remains upright for 30 minutes after meals
C. Mixing medication with thick liquids
D. Encouraging the client to eat quickly to prevent fatigue
Answer: B
, CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Keeping the client upright utilizes gravity to facilitate esophageal transit and prevent
reflux/aspiration. Thin liquids are actually a high aspiration risk for dysphagia patients, and
speed of eating should be controlled.
7. A client with type 2 diabetes asks how to incorporate carbohydrates into their diet. What is the
best evidence-based response?
A. "You must eliminate all carbohydrates from your diet."
B. "Focus on consistent carbohydrate intake and complex fiber-rich sources."
C. "You should only eat carbohydrates in the morning."
D. "Carbohydrates do not affect your blood glucose levels."
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Diabetes management focuses on carbohydrate consistency and quality
(complex/fiber-rich) rather than total elimination. Eliminating carbs is not sustainable, and
timing does not replace the need for consistency.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with severe protein-calorie malnutrition. Which laboratory marker is
the most sensitive indicator of acute nutritional status changes?
A. Serum albumin
B. Prealbumin
C. Serum transferrin
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: Prealbumin has a much shorter half-life (approximately 2 days) than albumin (20
days), making it a superior, real-time indicator of recent protein synthesis and nutritional status.
Other options are slower to change in response to nutritional intervention.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about vitamin B12 deficiency. The client is a strict vegan. Which
source should the nurse recommend?
