ATI RN Nutrition CMS Proctored Exam 2026/2027
Latest Exam | 200 Scenario-Based Questions with
Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | Forms A
& B + NGN Study Guide
SECTION 1: Nutritional Assessment & Anthropometrics (Q1–Q30)
1. A client is 5'8" (172.7 cm) tall and weighs 198 lbs (89.8 kg). What is the client's BMI
classification?
A. Normal weight
B. Overweight
C. Obese Class I
D. Obese Class II
Answer: C
Rationale: BMI = (198 lbs ÷ 68 in²) × 703 = 30.1 kg/m², which falls into Obese Class I (30–
34.9). Normal weight is 18.5–24.9; overweight is 25–29.9; Obese Class II is 35–39.9.
2. A 72-year-old client has albumin 2.8 g/dL, prealbumin 18 mg/dL, and transferrin 140
mg/dL. What is the most accurate interpretation?
A. Normal for age
B. Mild protein depletion
,C. Moderate-to-severe protein-energy malnutrition
D. Acute inflammation only
Answer: C
Rationale: Albumin <3.5 g/dL, prealbumin <15–20 mg/dL, and transferrin <200 mg/dL
collectively indicate moderate-to-severe protein malnutrition. Albumin reflects long-term
status (half-life 14–20 days); prealbumin reflects acute changes (half-life 2–3 days).
3. Using the Hamwi method, what is the ideal body weight for a 5'6" female client?
A. 130 lbs
B. 142 lbs
C. 140 lbs
D. 120 lbs
Answer: A
Rationale: Hamwi for women: 100 lbs for first 5 feet + 5 lbs per additional inch. For 5'6": 100
+ (6 × 5) = 130 lbs (±10% for frame size). The male formula uses 106 lbs base + 6 lbs per
inch.
4. Which anthropometric measurement best indicates visceral fat?
A. BMI
B. Skinfold thickness
C. Waist circumference
D. Mid-arm muscle circumference
Answer: C
Rationale: Waist circumference specifically measures central obesity and visceral adipose
tissue, which is metabolically active and linked to cardiovascular risk. BMI measures overall
mass; skinfolds estimate subcutaneous fat.
,5. A nurse is assessing a client for malnutrition risk. Which screening tool is most
appropriate for an older adult in a hospital setting?
A. MUST
B. MNA
C. SCAN
D. BAPEN
Answer: B
Rationale: The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is validated for older adults (≥65 years).
MUST is a general screening tool; MNA specifically addresses age-related nutritional risks.
6. A client's prealbumin level is 12 mg/dL. What does this indicate?
A. Normal status
B. Mild depletion
C. Critical depletion
D. Iron deficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Prealbumin <15 mg/dL indicates depletion; <10–12 mg/dL is considered critical
and warrants aggressive nutritional intervention. Prealbumin has a short half-life (2–3 days)
and reflects acute changes.
7. Which laboratory value is most affected by hydration status?
A. Prealbumin
B. Albumin
C. Transferrin
D. Hemoglobin
, Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin is strongly influenced by hydration status; dehydration can falsely
elevate albumin, while fluid overload can falsely lower it. Prealbumin is less affected but still
influenced.
8. A client has a BMI of 17.5 kg/m². How is this classified?
A. Normal
B. Underweight
C. Overweight
D. Obese
Answer: B
Rationale: BMI <18.5 kg/m² is classified as underweight. Normal is 18.5–24.9; overweight is
25–29.9; obese is ≥30.
9. Which measurement is used to estimate stature when a client cannot stand?
A. Knee height
B. Arm span
C. Sitting height
D. Recumbent length
Answer: A
Rationale: Knee height is a validated proxy for stature in non-ambulatory or bedbound
clients, especially older adults.
10. A nurse calculates a client's BMI as 32. What health risk is most associated with
this classification?
A. Osteoporosis
B. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Latest Exam | 200 Scenario-Based Questions with
Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | Forms A
& B + NGN Study Guide
SECTION 1: Nutritional Assessment & Anthropometrics (Q1–Q30)
1. A client is 5'8" (172.7 cm) tall and weighs 198 lbs (89.8 kg). What is the client's BMI
classification?
A. Normal weight
B. Overweight
C. Obese Class I
D. Obese Class II
Answer: C
Rationale: BMI = (198 lbs ÷ 68 in²) × 703 = 30.1 kg/m², which falls into Obese Class I (30–
34.9). Normal weight is 18.5–24.9; overweight is 25–29.9; Obese Class II is 35–39.9.
2. A 72-year-old client has albumin 2.8 g/dL, prealbumin 18 mg/dL, and transferrin 140
mg/dL. What is the most accurate interpretation?
A. Normal for age
B. Mild protein depletion
,C. Moderate-to-severe protein-energy malnutrition
D. Acute inflammation only
Answer: C
Rationale: Albumin <3.5 g/dL, prealbumin <15–20 mg/dL, and transferrin <200 mg/dL
collectively indicate moderate-to-severe protein malnutrition. Albumin reflects long-term
status (half-life 14–20 days); prealbumin reflects acute changes (half-life 2–3 days).
3. Using the Hamwi method, what is the ideal body weight for a 5'6" female client?
A. 130 lbs
B. 142 lbs
C. 140 lbs
D. 120 lbs
Answer: A
Rationale: Hamwi for women: 100 lbs for first 5 feet + 5 lbs per additional inch. For 5'6": 100
+ (6 × 5) = 130 lbs (±10% for frame size). The male formula uses 106 lbs base + 6 lbs per
inch.
4. Which anthropometric measurement best indicates visceral fat?
A. BMI
B. Skinfold thickness
C. Waist circumference
D. Mid-arm muscle circumference
Answer: C
Rationale: Waist circumference specifically measures central obesity and visceral adipose
tissue, which is metabolically active and linked to cardiovascular risk. BMI measures overall
mass; skinfolds estimate subcutaneous fat.
,5. A nurse is assessing a client for malnutrition risk. Which screening tool is most
appropriate for an older adult in a hospital setting?
A. MUST
B. MNA
C. SCAN
D. BAPEN
Answer: B
Rationale: The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is validated for older adults (≥65 years).
MUST is a general screening tool; MNA specifically addresses age-related nutritional risks.
6. A client's prealbumin level is 12 mg/dL. What does this indicate?
A. Normal status
B. Mild depletion
C. Critical depletion
D. Iron deficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Prealbumin <15 mg/dL indicates depletion; <10–12 mg/dL is considered critical
and warrants aggressive nutritional intervention. Prealbumin has a short half-life (2–3 days)
and reflects acute changes.
7. Which laboratory value is most affected by hydration status?
A. Prealbumin
B. Albumin
C. Transferrin
D. Hemoglobin
, Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin is strongly influenced by hydration status; dehydration can falsely
elevate albumin, while fluid overload can falsely lower it. Prealbumin is less affected but still
influenced.
8. A client has a BMI of 17.5 kg/m². How is this classified?
A. Normal
B. Underweight
C. Overweight
D. Obese
Answer: B
Rationale: BMI <18.5 kg/m² is classified as underweight. Normal is 18.5–24.9; overweight is
25–29.9; obese is ≥30.
9. Which measurement is used to estimate stature when a client cannot stand?
A. Knee height
B. Arm span
C. Sitting height
D. Recumbent length
Answer: A
Rationale: Knee height is a validated proxy for stature in non-ambulatory or bedbound
clients, especially older adults.
10. A nurse calculates a client's BMI as 32. What health risk is most associated with
this classification?
A. Osteoporosis
B. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
