ATI Nutrition Practice Exam 2026: Nutrition
Concepts & Therapeutic Diets — Verified Correct
Answers, Detailed Rationales & Instant PDF
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a client about the major nutrients. Which
nutrient provides the greatest amount of energy per gram?
A. Carbohydrates
B. Proteins
C. Fats
D. Vitamins
Rationale: Fat provides approximately 9 kcal/g, while
carbohydrates and proteins each provide approximately 4
kcal/g. Vitamins and minerals do not provide calories. Although
fat is calorie-dense, it is still an essential component of a
balanced diet because it provides energy, supports cell
membranes, assists with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and
provides essential fatty acids.
,Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the dietary sources of carbohydrates with a
client. Which food is the best source of complex carbohydrates?
A. Table sugar
B. Honey
C. Brown rice
D. Hard candy
Rationale: Brown rice is a whole grain and provides complex
carbohydrates along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Simple
carbohydrates such as table sugar, honey, and candy are
primarily composed of sugars and generally provide fewer
nutrients. Complex carbohydrates are important sources of
sustained energy and dietary fiber.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client about protein. Which food is
considered a complete protein?
A. Rice
B. Corn
C. Peanut butter
D. Eggs
Rationale: Eggs contain all nine essential amino acids in
adequate amounts and are therefore considered complete
,proteins. Most animal proteins, including meat, fish, poultry,
eggs, and dairy products, are complete proteins. Many plant
proteins are incomplete because they lack sufficient amounts of
one or more essential amino acids, although combining
different plant sources can provide all essential amino acids.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client who follows a vegan diet. Which
nutrient requires particular attention because it is primarily
found naturally in animal-derived foods?
A. Vitamin C
B. Potassium
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin B12 is naturally concentrated in
animalderived foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy
products. Clients following strict vegan diets are at increased
risk for vitamin B12 deficiency unless they consume fortified
foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is important for red blood
cell formation and neurologic function, so prolonged deficiency
can cause anemia and neurologic complications.
, Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client about dietary fiber. Which food
provides the best source of soluble fiber?
A. White bread
B. Oatmeal
C. Chicken breast
D. Cheddar cheese
Rationale: Oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves
in water and can help lower blood cholesterol and regulate
blood glucose levels. Other sources include beans, barley,
apples, citrus fruits, and some vegetables. Insoluble fiber, found
in foods such as whole grains and many vegetables, primarily
adds bulk to stool and promotes bowel regularity.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client about adequate hydration. Which
finding is most indicative of dehydration?
A. Clear urine
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Bounding pulse
D. Dark, concentrated urine
Rationale: Dark, concentrated urine is a common indicator of
inadequate fluid intake or fluid loss. Other findings of
Concepts & Therapeutic Diets — Verified Correct
Answers, Detailed Rationales & Instant PDF
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a client about the major nutrients. Which
nutrient provides the greatest amount of energy per gram?
A. Carbohydrates
B. Proteins
C. Fats
D. Vitamins
Rationale: Fat provides approximately 9 kcal/g, while
carbohydrates and proteins each provide approximately 4
kcal/g. Vitamins and minerals do not provide calories. Although
fat is calorie-dense, it is still an essential component of a
balanced diet because it provides energy, supports cell
membranes, assists with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and
provides essential fatty acids.
,Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the dietary sources of carbohydrates with a
client. Which food is the best source of complex carbohydrates?
A. Table sugar
B. Honey
C. Brown rice
D. Hard candy
Rationale: Brown rice is a whole grain and provides complex
carbohydrates along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Simple
carbohydrates such as table sugar, honey, and candy are
primarily composed of sugars and generally provide fewer
nutrients. Complex carbohydrates are important sources of
sustained energy and dietary fiber.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client about protein. Which food is
considered a complete protein?
A. Rice
B. Corn
C. Peanut butter
D. Eggs
Rationale: Eggs contain all nine essential amino acids in
adequate amounts and are therefore considered complete
,proteins. Most animal proteins, including meat, fish, poultry,
eggs, and dairy products, are complete proteins. Many plant
proteins are incomplete because they lack sufficient amounts of
one or more essential amino acids, although combining
different plant sources can provide all essential amino acids.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client who follows a vegan diet. Which
nutrient requires particular attention because it is primarily
found naturally in animal-derived foods?
A. Vitamin C
B. Potassium
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin B12 is naturally concentrated in
animalderived foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy
products. Clients following strict vegan diets are at increased
risk for vitamin B12 deficiency unless they consume fortified
foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is important for red blood
cell formation and neurologic function, so prolonged deficiency
can cause anemia and neurologic complications.
, Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client about dietary fiber. Which food
provides the best source of soluble fiber?
A. White bread
B. Oatmeal
C. Chicken breast
D. Cheddar cheese
Rationale: Oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves
in water and can help lower blood cholesterol and regulate
blood glucose levels. Other sources include beans, barley,
apples, citrus fruits, and some vegetables. Insoluble fiber, found
in foods such as whole grains and many vegetables, primarily
adds bulk to stool and promotes bowel regularity.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client about adequate hydration. Which
finding is most indicative of dehydration?
A. Clear urine
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Bounding pulse
D. Dark, concentrated urine
Rationale: Dark, concentrated urine is a common indicator of
inadequate fluid intake or fluid loss. Other findings of
