ATI Nutrition Exam Review for Nursing
Students – 2026/2027 Academic Year –
Comprehensive Practice Question Bank with
Rationales and Distractor Analysis | with
complete solutions.
SECTION 1: NUTRITION FUNDAMENTALS AND
ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which laboratory
value is the best indicator of short-term protein status?
A) Albumin
B) Prealbumin
C) Hemoglobin
D) Total protein
Answer: B) Prealbumin
Rationale: Prealbumin has a short half-life of 2-3 days, making it a sensitive
indicator of recent nutritional intake and changes in protein status. Albumin
has a longer half-life of approximately 20 days, reflecting long-term protein
status rather than acute changes. Hemoglobin assesses iron status, and total
protein is less specific than prealbumin for short-term changes.
Distractor Analysis:
, A) Albumin: Reflects long-term protein status; levels may remain
normal for weeks even during acute malnutrition.
C) Hemoglobin: Evaluates oxygen-carrying capacity and iron status,
not protein synthesis.
D) Total protein: Includes albumin and globulins; less sensitive for
detecting rapid nutritional changes.
2. A client with a non-healing wound has a serum albumin level of
2.8 g/dL. Which of the following findings is most consistent with this
laboratory value?
A) Fluid overload and edema
B) Iron deficiency
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Hyperkalemia
Answer: A) Fluid overload and edema
Rationale: Albumin is a protein synthesized by the liver that maintains
oncotic pressure. Low albumin (normal 3.5-5.0 g/dL) reduces plasma oncotic
pressure, allowing fluid to shift into interstitial spaces, causing edema and
potentially fluid volume excess. This is a critical finding indicating protein
deficiency that impairs wound healing and can lead to fluid imbalances.
Distractor Analysis:
B) Iron deficiency: Iron status is assessed via hemoglobin, ferritin,
and transferrin, not albumin.
C) Hyperglycemia: Glucose metabolism is evaluated separately;
albumin does not assess blood sugar.
D) Hyperkalemia: Potassium levels are measured directly; albumin
does not indicate electrolyte imbalances.
,3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has
heart failure. Which of the following findings indicates that the
client is experiencing fluid volume excess?
A) BUN 8 mg/dL
B) Hemoglobin 15 g/dL
C) Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
D) Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: A) BUN 8 mg/dL
Rationale: In fluid volume excess, blood is diluted, leading to abnormally low
BUN (normal ~10-20 mg/dL) and low hemoglobin/hematocrit. Crackles in the
lungs, dyspnea, edema, and weight gain are clinical manifestations of fluid
volume excess. A low BUN suggests hemodilution secondary to fluid
overload.
Distractor Analysis:
B) Hemoglobin 15 g/dL: A normal hemoglobin level; anemia is not
the primary indicator of fluid volume excess.
C) Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL: Normal creatinine, unaffected by fluid
volume status.
D) Sodium 140 mEq/L: Normal sodium; fluid volume excess can
present with low, normal, or high sodium depending on the underlying
cause.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about the DASH diet. Which of the
following statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
A) "I should limit my intake of fresh fruits and vegetables."
B) "I will increase my consumption of whole grains and low-fat dairy."
C) "I should eat more red meat and processed foods."
D) "I will avoid all carbohydrates."
, Answer: B) "I will increase my consumption of whole grains and low-
fat dairy."
Rationale: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet
emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy
while limiting sodium, saturated fat, and red meat. Foods rich in potassium,
calcium, and magnesium help lower blood pressure.
Distractor Analysis:
A) "I should limit my intake of fresh fruits and
vegetables." Incorrect; the DASH diet encourages increased intake of
these foods.
C) "I should eat more red meat and processed foods." Incorrect;
red meat and processed foods are limited due to high saturated fat
and sodium content.
D) "I will avoid all carbohydrates." Incorrect; whole grains are a
key component of the DASH diet.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who reports muscle spasms in his
calves and tingling in his hands. The client indicates consuming a
low intake of milk products and green leafy vegetables. The nurse
should identify that the client's findings indicate a deficiency in
which of the following nutrients?
A) Iron
B) Omega-3 fatty acids
C) Calcium
D) Vitamin C
Answer: C) Calcium
Rationale: Calcium is essential for muscle contraction and nerve function.
Inadequate intake of dairy products and dark leafy greens—primary calcium
sources—leads to hypocalcemia. Neuromuscular irritability manifests as
tingling, muscle cramps, and tetany. Good dietary sources include milk,
yogurt, cheese, and fortified products.
Students – 2026/2027 Academic Year –
Comprehensive Practice Question Bank with
Rationales and Distractor Analysis | with
complete solutions.
SECTION 1: NUTRITION FUNDAMENTALS AND
ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which laboratory
value is the best indicator of short-term protein status?
A) Albumin
B) Prealbumin
C) Hemoglobin
D) Total protein
Answer: B) Prealbumin
Rationale: Prealbumin has a short half-life of 2-3 days, making it a sensitive
indicator of recent nutritional intake and changes in protein status. Albumin
has a longer half-life of approximately 20 days, reflecting long-term protein
status rather than acute changes. Hemoglobin assesses iron status, and total
protein is less specific than prealbumin for short-term changes.
Distractor Analysis:
, A) Albumin: Reflects long-term protein status; levels may remain
normal for weeks even during acute malnutrition.
C) Hemoglobin: Evaluates oxygen-carrying capacity and iron status,
not protein synthesis.
D) Total protein: Includes albumin and globulins; less sensitive for
detecting rapid nutritional changes.
2. A client with a non-healing wound has a serum albumin level of
2.8 g/dL. Which of the following findings is most consistent with this
laboratory value?
A) Fluid overload and edema
B) Iron deficiency
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Hyperkalemia
Answer: A) Fluid overload and edema
Rationale: Albumin is a protein synthesized by the liver that maintains
oncotic pressure. Low albumin (normal 3.5-5.0 g/dL) reduces plasma oncotic
pressure, allowing fluid to shift into interstitial spaces, causing edema and
potentially fluid volume excess. This is a critical finding indicating protein
deficiency that impairs wound healing and can lead to fluid imbalances.
Distractor Analysis:
B) Iron deficiency: Iron status is assessed via hemoglobin, ferritin,
and transferrin, not albumin.
C) Hyperglycemia: Glucose metabolism is evaluated separately;
albumin does not assess blood sugar.
D) Hyperkalemia: Potassium levels are measured directly; albumin
does not indicate electrolyte imbalances.
,3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has
heart failure. Which of the following findings indicates that the
client is experiencing fluid volume excess?
A) BUN 8 mg/dL
B) Hemoglobin 15 g/dL
C) Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
D) Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: A) BUN 8 mg/dL
Rationale: In fluid volume excess, blood is diluted, leading to abnormally low
BUN (normal ~10-20 mg/dL) and low hemoglobin/hematocrit. Crackles in the
lungs, dyspnea, edema, and weight gain are clinical manifestations of fluid
volume excess. A low BUN suggests hemodilution secondary to fluid
overload.
Distractor Analysis:
B) Hemoglobin 15 g/dL: A normal hemoglobin level; anemia is not
the primary indicator of fluid volume excess.
C) Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL: Normal creatinine, unaffected by fluid
volume status.
D) Sodium 140 mEq/L: Normal sodium; fluid volume excess can
present with low, normal, or high sodium depending on the underlying
cause.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about the DASH diet. Which of the
following statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
A) "I should limit my intake of fresh fruits and vegetables."
B) "I will increase my consumption of whole grains and low-fat dairy."
C) "I should eat more red meat and processed foods."
D) "I will avoid all carbohydrates."
, Answer: B) "I will increase my consumption of whole grains and low-
fat dairy."
Rationale: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet
emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy
while limiting sodium, saturated fat, and red meat. Foods rich in potassium,
calcium, and magnesium help lower blood pressure.
Distractor Analysis:
A) "I should limit my intake of fresh fruits and
vegetables." Incorrect; the DASH diet encourages increased intake of
these foods.
C) "I should eat more red meat and processed foods." Incorrect;
red meat and processed foods are limited due to high saturated fat
and sodium content.
D) "I will avoid all carbohydrates." Incorrect; whole grains are a
key component of the DASH diet.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who reports muscle spasms in his
calves and tingling in his hands. The client indicates consuming a
low intake of milk products and green leafy vegetables. The nurse
should identify that the client's findings indicate a deficiency in
which of the following nutrients?
A) Iron
B) Omega-3 fatty acids
C) Calcium
D) Vitamin C
Answer: C) Calcium
Rationale: Calcium is essential for muscle contraction and nerve function.
Inadequate intake of dairy products and dark leafy greens—primary calcium
sources—leads to hypocalcemia. Neuromuscular irritability manifests as
tingling, muscle cramps, and tetany. Good dietary sources include milk,
yogurt, cheese, and fortified products.
