ATI RN Nutrition 2023 Proctored
Exam- Questions, Answers &
Rationales
## Nutrition Fundamentals & Macronutrients
### 1. Protein Requirements for Wound Healing
**Question:** A client who weighs 60 kg is prescribed a high-protein
diet at 1.5 g/kg/day to promote wound healing. What is the client's
daily protein requirement?
**Answer:** 90 g protein/day (60 kg × 1.5 g/kg = 90 g)
**Rationale:** Protein is essential for tissue repair and wound healing.
Clients with pressure ulcers, burns, or surgical wounds require
increased protein intake (1.25–1.5 g/kg/day). This calculation helps
nurses determine if dietary intake meets therapeutic goals .
### 2. Complete vs. Incomplete Proteins
,**Question:** Which food source provides a complete protein?
A. Beans
B. Eggs
C. Rice
D. Corn
**Answer:** B. Eggs
**Rationale:** Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino
acids. Animal sources (eggs, meat, fish, poultry, dairy) are complete
proteins. Plant sources (beans, rice, corn, nuts) are incomplete
proteins, lacking one or more essential amino acids .
### 3. Calories per Pound of Body Weight
**Question:** How many excess calories are required to gain
approximately 1 pound (0.45 kg) of body weight?
A. 2,500 calories
B. 3,000 calories
C. 3,500 calories
D. 4,000 calories
,**Answer:** C. 3,500 calories
**Rationale:** One pound of body fat equals approximately 3,500
calories. This principle guides weight management teaching—creating a
500-calorie daily deficit results in approximately 1 pound of weight loss
per week .
### 4. Prealbumin as a Malnutrition Marker
**Question:** A nurse reviews laboratory findings for an older adult
client. Which prealbumin level indicates protein-calorie malnutrition?
A. 25 mg/dL
B. 18 mg/dL
C. 10 mg/dL
D. 35 mg/dL
**Answer:** C. 10 mg/dL
**Rationale:** Prealbumin (half-life 2-3 days) is a sensitive marker of
acute protein status. Normal range is 15-35 mg/dL. A level below 15
mg/dL indicates protein malnutrition. Prealbumin is preferred over
albumin for detecting acute changes in nutritional status .
### 5. Fat-Soluble Vitamins
, **Question:** Which vitamins are classified as fat-soluble?
A. Vitamin C and B-complex
B. Vitamins A, D, E, and K
C. Vitamins B6, B12, and folate
D. Vitamin C and Vitamin D
**Answer:** B. Vitamins A, D, E, and K
**Rationale:** Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are absorbed with
dietary fat, stored in body tissues, and can accumulate to toxic levels if
consumed in excess. Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and C) are not
stored in significant amounts and are excreted in urine .
### 6. Vitamin D Synthesis
**Question:** What stimulates the body's natural production of
vitamin D?
A. Dietary intake of calcium
B. Exposure to sunlight (UVB rays)
C. Physical activity
D. Hydration status
Exam- Questions, Answers &
Rationales
## Nutrition Fundamentals & Macronutrients
### 1. Protein Requirements for Wound Healing
**Question:** A client who weighs 60 kg is prescribed a high-protein
diet at 1.5 g/kg/day to promote wound healing. What is the client's
daily protein requirement?
**Answer:** 90 g protein/day (60 kg × 1.5 g/kg = 90 g)
**Rationale:** Protein is essential for tissue repair and wound healing.
Clients with pressure ulcers, burns, or surgical wounds require
increased protein intake (1.25–1.5 g/kg/day). This calculation helps
nurses determine if dietary intake meets therapeutic goals .
### 2. Complete vs. Incomplete Proteins
,**Question:** Which food source provides a complete protein?
A. Beans
B. Eggs
C. Rice
D. Corn
**Answer:** B. Eggs
**Rationale:** Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino
acids. Animal sources (eggs, meat, fish, poultry, dairy) are complete
proteins. Plant sources (beans, rice, corn, nuts) are incomplete
proteins, lacking one or more essential amino acids .
### 3. Calories per Pound of Body Weight
**Question:** How many excess calories are required to gain
approximately 1 pound (0.45 kg) of body weight?
A. 2,500 calories
B. 3,000 calories
C. 3,500 calories
D. 4,000 calories
,**Answer:** C. 3,500 calories
**Rationale:** One pound of body fat equals approximately 3,500
calories. This principle guides weight management teaching—creating a
500-calorie daily deficit results in approximately 1 pound of weight loss
per week .
### 4. Prealbumin as a Malnutrition Marker
**Question:** A nurse reviews laboratory findings for an older adult
client. Which prealbumin level indicates protein-calorie malnutrition?
A. 25 mg/dL
B. 18 mg/dL
C. 10 mg/dL
D. 35 mg/dL
**Answer:** C. 10 mg/dL
**Rationale:** Prealbumin (half-life 2-3 days) is a sensitive marker of
acute protein status. Normal range is 15-35 mg/dL. A level below 15
mg/dL indicates protein malnutrition. Prealbumin is preferred over
albumin for detecting acute changes in nutritional status .
### 5. Fat-Soluble Vitamins
, **Question:** Which vitamins are classified as fat-soluble?
A. Vitamin C and B-complex
B. Vitamins A, D, E, and K
C. Vitamins B6, B12, and folate
D. Vitamin C and Vitamin D
**Answer:** B. Vitamins A, D, E, and K
**Rationale:** Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are absorbed with
dietary fat, stored in body tissues, and can accumulate to toxic levels if
consumed in excess. Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and C) are not
stored in significant amounts and are excreted in urine .
### 6. Vitamin D Synthesis
**Question:** What stimulates the body's natural production of
vitamin D?
A. Dietary intake of calcium
B. Exposure to sunlight (UVB rays)
C. Physical activity
D. Hydration status