ATI RN Nutrition CMS Proctored Exam with verified answers
plus rationales 2026/2027 version
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed a 2-gram sodium diet. Which meal selection
indicates understanding of the dietary restriction?
A) Canned tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich
B) Baked chicken with steamed rice and fresh green beans
C) Ham sandwich with pickles and potato chips
D) Frozen pizza and a side salad with ranch dressing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fresh, unprocessed foods like baked chicken, rice, and green beans are naturally low
in sodium. Canned soups, processed meats, frozen meals, and pickles are high in sodium and
should be avoided.
2. A nurse is teaching a client with celiac disease about dietary choices. Which food should
the client avoid?
A) Rice cakes
B) Corn tortillas
C) Wheat bread
D) Oatmeal labeled gluten-free
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Celiac disease requires strict avoidance of gluten, which is found in wheat, barley,
and rye. Wheat bread contains gluten, while rice, corn, and certified gluten-free oats are safe.
3. A client is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A) Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
B) Weight gain of 0.5 kg in 24 hours
C) Temperature of 100.4°F (38°C)
D) Serum albumin of 3.8 g/dL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fever in a client receiving TPN may indicate infection, which is a serious
complication requiring prompt evaluation. TPN is hypertonic and delivered via central line,
increasing infection risk.
,4. A client with diabetes is learning carbohydrate counting. How many grams of
carbohydrates are in a meal consisting of 1 cup of milk (12g), 1 apple (15g), and 1 slice of
bread (15g)?
A) 30 grams
B) 37 grams
C) 42 grams
D) 45 grams
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Add the carbohydrate content of all items: 12 + 15 + 15 = 42 grams of total
carbohydrates for the meal.
5. Which laboratory value is the best indicator of long-term glycemic control?
A) Fasting blood glucose
B) Hemoglobin A1c
C) Postprandial glucose
D) Urine ketones
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3 months,
making it the best indicator of long-term glycemic control.
6. A pregnant client reports frequent leg cramps. Which dietary recommendation is most
appropriate?
A) Increase calcium-rich foods
B) Decrease fluid intake
C) Avoid iron supplements
D) Increase simple sugars
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Leg cramps in pregnancy are often associated with low calcium or magnesium.
Increasing calcium-rich foods can help reduce cramping.
7. A client is on a mechanical soft diet. Which food should be included?
A) Raw carrots
B) Ground meat
C) Whole nuts
D) Hard pretzels
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A mechanical soft diet includes foods that require minimal chewing. Ground meat is
appropriate, while raw vegetables, nuts, and hard pretzels are too difficult to chew and swallow.
8. A client receiving warfarin therapy should be educated to avoid which food?
A) Apples
B) Bananas
C) Broccoli
D) White rice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Broccoli and other dark leafy greens are high in vitamin K, which can antagonize the
effects of warfarin and decrease its anticoagulant efficacy.
9. Which of the following is a sign of thiamine deficiency?
A) Night blindness
B) Beriberi
C) Scurvy
D) Pellagra
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency causes beriberi, which affects the cardiovascular
and nervous systems. Night blindness is associated with vitamin A deficiency, scurvy with
vitamin C, and pellagra with niacin.
10. A client with renal disease should limit which mineral to avoid hyperkalemia?
A) Sodium
B) Calcium
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In renal disease, potassium excretion is impaired, leading to hyperkalemia. Clients
should limit high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, and potatoes.
11. A nurse is calculating the BMI of a client who weighs 220 lbs and is 5 feet 10 inches tall.
What is the BMI classification?
plus rationales 2026/2027 version
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed a 2-gram sodium diet. Which meal selection
indicates understanding of the dietary restriction?
A) Canned tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich
B) Baked chicken with steamed rice and fresh green beans
C) Ham sandwich with pickles and potato chips
D) Frozen pizza and a side salad with ranch dressing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fresh, unprocessed foods like baked chicken, rice, and green beans are naturally low
in sodium. Canned soups, processed meats, frozen meals, and pickles are high in sodium and
should be avoided.
2. A nurse is teaching a client with celiac disease about dietary choices. Which food should
the client avoid?
A) Rice cakes
B) Corn tortillas
C) Wheat bread
D) Oatmeal labeled gluten-free
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Celiac disease requires strict avoidance of gluten, which is found in wheat, barley,
and rye. Wheat bread contains gluten, while rice, corn, and certified gluten-free oats are safe.
3. A client is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A) Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
B) Weight gain of 0.5 kg in 24 hours
C) Temperature of 100.4°F (38°C)
D) Serum albumin of 3.8 g/dL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fever in a client receiving TPN may indicate infection, which is a serious
complication requiring prompt evaluation. TPN is hypertonic and delivered via central line,
increasing infection risk.
,4. A client with diabetes is learning carbohydrate counting. How many grams of
carbohydrates are in a meal consisting of 1 cup of milk (12g), 1 apple (15g), and 1 slice of
bread (15g)?
A) 30 grams
B) 37 grams
C) 42 grams
D) 45 grams
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Add the carbohydrate content of all items: 12 + 15 + 15 = 42 grams of total
carbohydrates for the meal.
5. Which laboratory value is the best indicator of long-term glycemic control?
A) Fasting blood glucose
B) Hemoglobin A1c
C) Postprandial glucose
D) Urine ketones
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3 months,
making it the best indicator of long-term glycemic control.
6. A pregnant client reports frequent leg cramps. Which dietary recommendation is most
appropriate?
A) Increase calcium-rich foods
B) Decrease fluid intake
C) Avoid iron supplements
D) Increase simple sugars
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Leg cramps in pregnancy are often associated with low calcium or magnesium.
Increasing calcium-rich foods can help reduce cramping.
7. A client is on a mechanical soft diet. Which food should be included?
A) Raw carrots
B) Ground meat
C) Whole nuts
D) Hard pretzels
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A mechanical soft diet includes foods that require minimal chewing. Ground meat is
appropriate, while raw vegetables, nuts, and hard pretzels are too difficult to chew and swallow.
8. A client receiving warfarin therapy should be educated to avoid which food?
A) Apples
B) Bananas
C) Broccoli
D) White rice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Broccoli and other dark leafy greens are high in vitamin K, which can antagonize the
effects of warfarin and decrease its anticoagulant efficacy.
9. Which of the following is a sign of thiamine deficiency?
A) Night blindness
B) Beriberi
C) Scurvy
D) Pellagra
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency causes beriberi, which affects the cardiovascular
and nervous systems. Night blindness is associated with vitamin A deficiency, scurvy with
vitamin C, and pellagra with niacin.
10. A client with renal disease should limit which mineral to avoid hyperkalemia?
A) Sodium
B) Calcium
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In renal disease, potassium excretion is impaired, leading to hyperkalemia. Clients
should limit high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, and potatoes.
11. A nurse is calculating the BMI of a client who weighs 220 lbs and is 5 feet 10 inches tall.
What is the BMI classification?
