RN ATI NUTRITION PROCTORED EXAM
2026 | NGN-STYLE PRACTICE EXAM |
70+ QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
FRONT MATTER
Core Domains:
• Nutrition Across the Lifespan (Pregnancy, Infancy, Childhood,
Adolescence, Older Adults)
• Therapeutic Diets and Disease Management (Cardiac, Renal, Diabetic,
GI, Hepatic)
• Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition
• Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies and Toxicities
• Food-Drug Interactions and Food Safety
• Nutritional Assessment and Anthropometrics
• Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions
• Eating Disorders and Weight Management
• NGN Clinical Judgment and Case Studies
,Introduction:
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to assess the foundational
and applied knowledge required for safe and effective nutritional nursing practice.
It evaluates the candidate's ability to integrate principles of nutrition assessment,
therapeutic diets, and clinical decision-making in diverse patient scenarios. The
assessment emphasizes critical thinking, real-world application, and adherence to
evidence-based dietary guidelines. Questions are structured as standard multiple-
choice, select-all-that-apply (SATA), and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style
items, including case studies and bow-tie formats. This rigorous evaluation ensures
competency in nutritional assessment, patient education, medication
administration related to nutrition, and management of complex dietary regimens
across the lifespan.
QUESTIONS 1–150 (COMBINED)
1. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the following foods or
beverages should the nurse recommend to minimize heartburn?
A. Orange juice
B. Decaffeinated coffee
C. Peppermint
D. Potatoes
Correct Answer: D. Potatoes
, RATIONALE: Potatoes are a low-acid food that is unlikely to trigger GERD
symptoms. Orange juice, coffee (even decaffeinated), and peppermint can all relax
the lower esophageal sphincter and increase gastric acid production, exacerbating
heartburn.
2. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid supplementation.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "Folic acid prevents neural tube defects in my baby."
B. "I can stop taking folic acid after the first month of pregnancy."
C. "Folic acid is only necessary if I have a family history of birth defects."
D. "I should take 1000 mcg of folic acid daily."
Correct Answer: A. "Folic acid prevents neural tube defects in my baby."
RATIONALE: Adequate folic acid (400-800 mcg/day) before and during early
pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida
and anencephaly. Supplementation is recommended for all women of childbearing
age throughout the first trimester.
3. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to the parent of a 10-month-old infant.
Which of the following statements by the parent indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I will give my baby whole milk instead of formula now that she is 10 months
old."
B. "I will introduce one new food at a time."
C. "I will avoid giving my baby honey until after 12 months."
D. "I will cut grapes into small pieces to prevent choking."
Correct Answer: A. "I will give my baby whole milk instead of formula now
that she is 10 months old."
RATIONALE: Whole cow's milk should not be introduced until 12 months of
age due to the risk of iron deficiency anemia and because it does not provide
, adequate nutrition for infants. Introducing one new food at a time, avoiding honey
until 12 months (due to botulism risk), and cutting grapes to prevent choking are
all appropriate practices.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition
(TPN). The nurse should recognize that which of the following is a metabolic
complication associated with TPN infusion?
A. Azotemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: A. Azotemia
RATIONALE: Azotemia (elevated BUN) is a metabolic complication
associated with TPN due to the high protein content and potential for dehydration.
Hypoglycemia can occur if TPN is abruptly discontinued, hyperkalemia is less
common, and metabolic acidosis (not alkalosis) is associated with TPN.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will keep my HbA1c at 5%."
B. "I will check my blood glucose only when I feel symptoms."
C. "I will eat a high-carbohydrate diet to prevent hypoglycemia."
D. "I will take my insulin only when my blood sugar is high."
Correct Answer: A. "I will keep my HbA1c at 5%."
RATIONALE: An HbA1c of 5% indicates excellent glycemic control.
Checking blood glucose only when symptomatic (B) is insufficient, a high-
carbohydrate diet (C) would worsen hyperglycemia, and insulin (D) must be taken
regularly as prescribed, not only when blood sugar is high.
2026 | NGN-STYLE PRACTICE EXAM |
70+ QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
FRONT MATTER
Core Domains:
• Nutrition Across the Lifespan (Pregnancy, Infancy, Childhood,
Adolescence, Older Adults)
• Therapeutic Diets and Disease Management (Cardiac, Renal, Diabetic,
GI, Hepatic)
• Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition
• Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies and Toxicities
• Food-Drug Interactions and Food Safety
• Nutritional Assessment and Anthropometrics
• Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions
• Eating Disorders and Weight Management
• NGN Clinical Judgment and Case Studies
,Introduction:
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to assess the foundational
and applied knowledge required for safe and effective nutritional nursing practice.
It evaluates the candidate's ability to integrate principles of nutrition assessment,
therapeutic diets, and clinical decision-making in diverse patient scenarios. The
assessment emphasizes critical thinking, real-world application, and adherence to
evidence-based dietary guidelines. Questions are structured as standard multiple-
choice, select-all-that-apply (SATA), and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style
items, including case studies and bow-tie formats. This rigorous evaluation ensures
competency in nutritional assessment, patient education, medication
administration related to nutrition, and management of complex dietary regimens
across the lifespan.
QUESTIONS 1–150 (COMBINED)
1. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the following foods or
beverages should the nurse recommend to minimize heartburn?
A. Orange juice
B. Decaffeinated coffee
C. Peppermint
D. Potatoes
Correct Answer: D. Potatoes
, RATIONALE: Potatoes are a low-acid food that is unlikely to trigger GERD
symptoms. Orange juice, coffee (even decaffeinated), and peppermint can all relax
the lower esophageal sphincter and increase gastric acid production, exacerbating
heartburn.
2. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid supplementation.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "Folic acid prevents neural tube defects in my baby."
B. "I can stop taking folic acid after the first month of pregnancy."
C. "Folic acid is only necessary if I have a family history of birth defects."
D. "I should take 1000 mcg of folic acid daily."
Correct Answer: A. "Folic acid prevents neural tube defects in my baby."
RATIONALE: Adequate folic acid (400-800 mcg/day) before and during early
pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida
and anencephaly. Supplementation is recommended for all women of childbearing
age throughout the first trimester.
3. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to the parent of a 10-month-old infant.
Which of the following statements by the parent indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I will give my baby whole milk instead of formula now that she is 10 months
old."
B. "I will introduce one new food at a time."
C. "I will avoid giving my baby honey until after 12 months."
D. "I will cut grapes into small pieces to prevent choking."
Correct Answer: A. "I will give my baby whole milk instead of formula now
that she is 10 months old."
RATIONALE: Whole cow's milk should not be introduced until 12 months of
age due to the risk of iron deficiency anemia and because it does not provide
, adequate nutrition for infants. Introducing one new food at a time, avoiding honey
until 12 months (due to botulism risk), and cutting grapes to prevent choking are
all appropriate practices.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition
(TPN). The nurse should recognize that which of the following is a metabolic
complication associated with TPN infusion?
A. Azotemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: A. Azotemia
RATIONALE: Azotemia (elevated BUN) is a metabolic complication
associated with TPN due to the high protein content and potential for dehydration.
Hypoglycemia can occur if TPN is abruptly discontinued, hyperkalemia is less
common, and metabolic acidosis (not alkalosis) is associated with TPN.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will keep my HbA1c at 5%."
B. "I will check my blood glucose only when I feel symptoms."
C. "I will eat a high-carbohydrate diet to prevent hypoglycemia."
D. "I will take my insulin only when my blood sugar is high."
Correct Answer: A. "I will keep my HbA1c at 5%."
RATIONALE: An HbA1c of 5% indicates excellent glycemic control.
Checking blood glucose only when symptomatic (B) is insufficient, a high-
carbohydrate diet (C) would worsen hyperglycemia, and insulin (D) must be taken
regularly as prescribed, not only when blood sugar is high.
