ATI RN Nutrition Proctored Exam 2026-2027 |
NGN-Style 250+ Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | A+ Graded
PASS YOUR ATI NUTRITION PROCTORED EXAM ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT WITH THIS 2026
UPDATED COMPLETE TEST BANK!
This document contains REAL exam-style questions with VERIFIED ANSWERS and DETAILED
rationales for every single question. Updated for the 2026-2027 ATI test blueprint with NGN
(Next Generation NCLEX) case studies included!
❖ Key Topics Covered:
✔ Macronutrients & Micronutrients (Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, Iron, Calcium,
Magnesium, Potassium)
✔ Diabetes Mellitus - carbohydrate counting, hypoglycemia management, sick day
rules
✔ Cardiovascular Disease - DASH diet, low-sodium, low-cholesterol diets
✔ Renal Disorders - protein, potassium, phosphorus, fluid restrictions for CKD/HD
✔ Gastrointestinal - GERD, celiac disease, dumping syndrome, pancreatitis
✔ Enteral/Parenteral Nutrition - TPN, tube feeding calculations, aspiration prevention
✔ Nutritional Assessment - BMI, prealbumin, albumin, lab interpretation
✔ Pregnancy & Lactation - folic acid, iron, calcium, weight gain recommendations
✔ Food Safety & Drug-Nutrient Interactions (MAOIs, Warfarin, Statins)
,Question 1
A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of gastroesophageal
reflux disease. 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 bland and low in acidity, making them less likely to trigger heartburn
compared to orange juice, coffee, and peppermint, which can relax the lower esophageal
sphincter or irritate the esophageal mucosa.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis and requires increased protein intake to
compensate for disease-related weight loss. Which of the following foods should the nurse
recommend?
A. Grilled chicken
B. Potato soup
C. Fish sticks
D. Baked ham
Correct Answer: A. Grilled chicken
Rationale: Clients with cirrhosis require adequate protein from high-quality sources to prevent
muscle wasting. Grilled chicken is a lean protein source that provides essential amino acids
without excessive sodium or fat.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client with chronic kidney disease about predialysis dietary
recommendations. The nurse should recommend restricting the intake of which of the following
nutrients?
A. Protein
B. Carbohydrates
,C. Calcium
D. Monounsaturated fats
Correct Answer: A. Protein
Rationale: Dietary restrictions for clients with chronic kidney disease vary based on the degree
of kidney function; however, most clients need protein limitations to reduce the buildup of
nitrogenous waste products. Protein restriction helps slow the progression of kidney disease.
Question 4
A nurse is planning dietary teaching for a client with diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take first?
A. Obtain sample menus from the dietitian to give to the client
B. Ask the client to identify the types of foods she prefers
C. Identify the recommended range of the client's blood glucose level
D. Discuss long-term complications that can result from non-adherence to the dietary plan
Correct Answer: B. Ask the client to identify the types of foods she prefers
Rationale: The nurse should apply the nursing process priority-setting framework, beginning
with assessment or data collection. Understanding the client's food preferences allows for
individualized teaching that respects cultural and personal choices, which promotes adherence.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a BMI of 29 and expresses a desire to lose weight. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Refer the client to a nutritionist
B. Discuss eating strategies with the client
C. Determine the client's intention to change current eating habits
D. Instruct the client to perform 30 minutes of vigorous exercise daily
Correct Answer: C. Determine the client's intention to change current eating habits
Rationale: When using the nursing process, the nurse should first assess the client's readiness to
commit to a change in behavior. Understanding the client's stage of change guides appropriate
interventions and promotes successful outcomes.
Question 6
, A nurse is teaching an assistive personnel about dietary restrictions for a client who is taking
phenelzine to treat depression. The AP's selection of which of the following foods for the
client's lunch indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Bologna on wheat bread
B. Chicken salad
C. Cheddar cheese and crackers
D. Pizza with pepperoni
Correct Answer: B. Chicken salad
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Clients taking MAOIs must
avoid foods that contain tyramine due to the potential for a dangerous hypertensive crisis.
Tyramine is found in processed and aged foods such as luncheon meats, aged cheeses, and
cured meats. Fresh chicken salad does not contain tyramine.
Question 7
A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has dumping syndrome following gastric
bypass surgery 4 days ago. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse include in
the teaching?
A. Avoid foods containing protein
B. Drink liquids during each meal
C. Eat foods that contain simple sugars
D. Maintain a supine position after meals
Correct Answer: D. Maintain a supine position after meals
Rationale: Instruct the client to lie supine after eating to slow the rapid emptying of food into
the small intestine. Other recommendations include eating small, frequent meals, eliminating
fluids at mealtime, and avoiding simple sugars.
Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has a new prescription for pravastatin to
treat hyperlipidemia. Which of the following pieces of information should the nurse include in
the teaching?
A. Pravastatin can be taken with grapefruit juice
B. Pravastatin can be continued during pregnancy
NGN-Style 250+ Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | A+ Graded
PASS YOUR ATI NUTRITION PROCTORED EXAM ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT WITH THIS 2026
UPDATED COMPLETE TEST BANK!
This document contains REAL exam-style questions with VERIFIED ANSWERS and DETAILED
rationales for every single question. Updated for the 2026-2027 ATI test blueprint with NGN
(Next Generation NCLEX) case studies included!
❖ Key Topics Covered:
✔ Macronutrients & Micronutrients (Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, Iron, Calcium,
Magnesium, Potassium)
✔ Diabetes Mellitus - carbohydrate counting, hypoglycemia management, sick day
rules
✔ Cardiovascular Disease - DASH diet, low-sodium, low-cholesterol diets
✔ Renal Disorders - protein, potassium, phosphorus, fluid restrictions for CKD/HD
✔ Gastrointestinal - GERD, celiac disease, dumping syndrome, pancreatitis
✔ Enteral/Parenteral Nutrition - TPN, tube feeding calculations, aspiration prevention
✔ Nutritional Assessment - BMI, prealbumin, albumin, lab interpretation
✔ Pregnancy & Lactation - folic acid, iron, calcium, weight gain recommendations
✔ Food Safety & Drug-Nutrient Interactions (MAOIs, Warfarin, Statins)
,Question 1
A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of gastroesophageal
reflux disease. 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 bland and low in acidity, making them less likely to trigger heartburn
compared to orange juice, coffee, and peppermint, which can relax the lower esophageal
sphincter or irritate the esophageal mucosa.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis and requires increased protein intake to
compensate for disease-related weight loss. Which of the following foods should the nurse
recommend?
A. Grilled chicken
B. Potato soup
C. Fish sticks
D. Baked ham
Correct Answer: A. Grilled chicken
Rationale: Clients with cirrhosis require adequate protein from high-quality sources to prevent
muscle wasting. Grilled chicken is a lean protein source that provides essential amino acids
without excessive sodium or fat.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client with chronic kidney disease about predialysis dietary
recommendations. The nurse should recommend restricting the intake of which of the following
nutrients?
A. Protein
B. Carbohydrates
,C. Calcium
D. Monounsaturated fats
Correct Answer: A. Protein
Rationale: Dietary restrictions for clients with chronic kidney disease vary based on the degree
of kidney function; however, most clients need protein limitations to reduce the buildup of
nitrogenous waste products. Protein restriction helps slow the progression of kidney disease.
Question 4
A nurse is planning dietary teaching for a client with diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take first?
A. Obtain sample menus from the dietitian to give to the client
B. Ask the client to identify the types of foods she prefers
C. Identify the recommended range of the client's blood glucose level
D. Discuss long-term complications that can result from non-adherence to the dietary plan
Correct Answer: B. Ask the client to identify the types of foods she prefers
Rationale: The nurse should apply the nursing process priority-setting framework, beginning
with assessment or data collection. Understanding the client's food preferences allows for
individualized teaching that respects cultural and personal choices, which promotes adherence.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a BMI of 29 and expresses a desire to lose weight. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Refer the client to a nutritionist
B. Discuss eating strategies with the client
C. Determine the client's intention to change current eating habits
D. Instruct the client to perform 30 minutes of vigorous exercise daily
Correct Answer: C. Determine the client's intention to change current eating habits
Rationale: When using the nursing process, the nurse should first assess the client's readiness to
commit to a change in behavior. Understanding the client's stage of change guides appropriate
interventions and promotes successful outcomes.
Question 6
, A nurse is teaching an assistive personnel about dietary restrictions for a client who is taking
phenelzine to treat depression. The AP's selection of which of the following foods for the
client's lunch indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Bologna on wheat bread
B. Chicken salad
C. Cheddar cheese and crackers
D. Pizza with pepperoni
Correct Answer: B. Chicken salad
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Clients taking MAOIs must
avoid foods that contain tyramine due to the potential for a dangerous hypertensive crisis.
Tyramine is found in processed and aged foods such as luncheon meats, aged cheeses, and
cured meats. Fresh chicken salad does not contain tyramine.
Question 7
A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has dumping syndrome following gastric
bypass surgery 4 days ago. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse include in
the teaching?
A. Avoid foods containing protein
B. Drink liquids during each meal
C. Eat foods that contain simple sugars
D. Maintain a supine position after meals
Correct Answer: D. Maintain a supine position after meals
Rationale: Instruct the client to lie supine after eating to slow the rapid emptying of food into
the small intestine. Other recommendations include eating small, frequent meals, eliminating
fluids at mealtime, and avoiding simple sugars.
Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has a new prescription for pravastatin to
treat hyperlipidemia. Which of the following pieces of information should the nurse include in
the teaching?
A. Pravastatin can be taken with grapefruit juice
B. Pravastatin can be continued during pregnancy
