ATI RN NUTRITION PROCTORED EXAM
Practice Question Bank — 150 Multiple Choice Questions with
Rationale
Basic Nutrition Principles & Macronutrients
1. A nurse is teaching a client about carbohydrates. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding of the primary function of
carbohydrates?
A. "Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy."
B. "Carbohydrates build and repair body tissue."
C. "Carbohydrates are needed to transport fat-soluble vitamins."
D. "Carbohydrates are the main component of cell membranes."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Carbohydrates are the body's primary and most readily
available energy source, providing 4 kcal/g. Protein builds and
repairs tissue; fats transport fat-soluble vitamins and are a major
component of cell membranes.
2. A nurse is reviewing the caloric values of nutrients with a nursing
student. How many kilocalories are provided per gram of fat?
A. 4 kcal/g
B. 7 kcal/g
C. 9 kcal/g
D. 4.5 kcal/g
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kcal/g, more than double that of
carbohydrate or protein (4 kcal/g each). Alcohol provides 7 kcal/g.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diet low in complete
proteins. Which food should the nurse recognize as a complete
protein source?
A. Kidney beans
B. Whole wheat bread
C. Eggs
D. Peanut butter
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in
adequate amounts; eggs, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and soy are
complete proteins. Beans, grains, and nuts are incomplete proteins.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about essential fatty acids. Which of the
following should the nurse include as an essential fatty acid the body
cannot synthesize?
A. Oleic acid
B. Linoleic acid
C. Palmitic acid
D. Stearic acid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic
acid (an omega-3) are essential fatty acids that must be obtained
through diet because the body cannot synthesize them.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about nitrogen balance. Which
condition is associated with a positive nitrogen balance?
A. Starvation
B. Pregnancy
C. Severe burns
D. Prolonged bed rest
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Positive nitrogen balance occurs when protein intake and
synthesis exceed breakdown, as in growth periods such as
pregnancy, childhood, and tissue repair. Starvation, burns, and
immobility cause negative nitrogen balance due to tissue catabolism.
6. A nurse is calculating a client's body mass index (BMI). The client
weighs 68 kg and is 1.65 m tall. Which BMI category does this client
fall into? (BMI = weight in kg / height in m²; approximately 25)
A. Underweight
B. Normal weight
C. Overweight
D. Obese
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BMI = 68 / (1.65)² ≈ 25.0, which falls in the overweight
range (25.0–29.9). Normal weight is 18.5–24.9, and obese is 30 or
greater.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about dietary fiber. Which of the
following is a benefit of soluble fiber?
A. Prevents constipation by increasing stool bulk
B. Lowers blood cholesterol levels
C. Provides no caloric value at all
D. Increases gastric emptying rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Soluble fiber (found in oats, legumes, and fruit) binds bile
acids and lowers LDL cholesterol. Insoluble fiber increases stool bulk
and prevents constipation.
8. A nurse is discussing recommended macronutrient distribution with
a client. According to general dietary guidelines, what percentage of
total daily calories should come from carbohydrates?
A. 10% to 15%
, B. 20% to 35%
C. 45% to 65%
D. 70% to 80%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range
recommends 45%–65% of calories from carbohydrates, 20%–35%
from fat, and 10%–35% from protein.
9. A client asks the nurse why the body needs water. Which
explanation is most accurate?
A. Water is the only nutrient that provides no energy but is required
for all body processes.
B. Water is stored in adipose tissue for later energy use.
C. Water is a source of essential amino acids.
D. Water is broken down to release glucose.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Water provides no calories but is essential for temperature
regulation, transport of nutrients, digestion, and waste removal,
making it the most critical nutrient for survival.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about glycemic index. Which food has a
high glycemic index and would cause a rapid rise in blood glucose?
A. White bread
B. Lentils
C. Steel-cut oats
D. Kidney beans
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: White bread has a high glycemic index due to refined
carbohydrates that digest and absorb quickly, causing a rapid
glucose spike. Legumes and whole grains have lower glycemic indices
due to fiber content.
Practice Question Bank — 150 Multiple Choice Questions with
Rationale
Basic Nutrition Principles & Macronutrients
1. A nurse is teaching a client about carbohydrates. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding of the primary function of
carbohydrates?
A. "Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy."
B. "Carbohydrates build and repair body tissue."
C. "Carbohydrates are needed to transport fat-soluble vitamins."
D. "Carbohydrates are the main component of cell membranes."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Carbohydrates are the body's primary and most readily
available energy source, providing 4 kcal/g. Protein builds and
repairs tissue; fats transport fat-soluble vitamins and are a major
component of cell membranes.
2. A nurse is reviewing the caloric values of nutrients with a nursing
student. How many kilocalories are provided per gram of fat?
A. 4 kcal/g
B. 7 kcal/g
C. 9 kcal/g
D. 4.5 kcal/g
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kcal/g, more than double that of
carbohydrate or protein (4 kcal/g each). Alcohol provides 7 kcal/g.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diet low in complete
proteins. Which food should the nurse recognize as a complete
protein source?
A. Kidney beans
B. Whole wheat bread
C. Eggs
D. Peanut butter
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in
adequate amounts; eggs, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and soy are
complete proteins. Beans, grains, and nuts are incomplete proteins.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about essential fatty acids. Which of the
following should the nurse include as an essential fatty acid the body
cannot synthesize?
A. Oleic acid
B. Linoleic acid
C. Palmitic acid
D. Stearic acid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic
acid (an omega-3) are essential fatty acids that must be obtained
through diet because the body cannot synthesize them.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about nitrogen balance. Which
condition is associated with a positive nitrogen balance?
A. Starvation
B. Pregnancy
C. Severe burns
D. Prolonged bed rest
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Positive nitrogen balance occurs when protein intake and
synthesis exceed breakdown, as in growth periods such as
pregnancy, childhood, and tissue repair. Starvation, burns, and
immobility cause negative nitrogen balance due to tissue catabolism.
6. A nurse is calculating a client's body mass index (BMI). The client
weighs 68 kg and is 1.65 m tall. Which BMI category does this client
fall into? (BMI = weight in kg / height in m²; approximately 25)
A. Underweight
B. Normal weight
C. Overweight
D. Obese
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BMI = 68 / (1.65)² ≈ 25.0, which falls in the overweight
range (25.0–29.9). Normal weight is 18.5–24.9, and obese is 30 or
greater.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about dietary fiber. Which of the
following is a benefit of soluble fiber?
A. Prevents constipation by increasing stool bulk
B. Lowers blood cholesterol levels
C. Provides no caloric value at all
D. Increases gastric emptying rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Soluble fiber (found in oats, legumes, and fruit) binds bile
acids and lowers LDL cholesterol. Insoluble fiber increases stool bulk
and prevents constipation.
8. A nurse is discussing recommended macronutrient distribution with
a client. According to general dietary guidelines, what percentage of
total daily calories should come from carbohydrates?
A. 10% to 15%
, B. 20% to 35%
C. 45% to 65%
D. 70% to 80%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range
recommends 45%–65% of calories from carbohydrates, 20%–35%
from fat, and 10%–35% from protein.
9. A client asks the nurse why the body needs water. Which
explanation is most accurate?
A. Water is the only nutrient that provides no energy but is required
for all body processes.
B. Water is stored in adipose tissue for later energy use.
C. Water is a source of essential amino acids.
D. Water is broken down to release glucose.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Water provides no calories but is essential for temperature
regulation, transport of nutrients, digestion, and waste removal,
making it the most critical nutrient for survival.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about glycemic index. Which food has a
high glycemic index and would cause a rapid rise in blood glucose?
A. White bread
B. Lentils
C. Steel-cut oats
D. Kidney beans
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: White bread has a high glycemic index due to refined
carbohydrates that digest and absorb quickly, causing a rapid
glucose spike. Legumes and whole grains have lower glycemic indices
due to fiber content.
