ATI RN Nutrition Practice Exam 2026 -Questions And Answers Latest
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1. A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient and finds BMI = 31 kg/m². This BMI is
classified as:
A. Normal weight
B. Overweight
C. Obesity class I
D. Obesity class II
Answer: C. BMI 30.0–34.9 is obesity class I.
2. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 requires a diet modification. Which
is most appropriate?
A. High-protein, high-phosphorus diet
B. Low-protein, controlled phosphorus diet as recommended by nephrology
C. High-sodium, high-protein diet
D. Unlimited potassium foods
Answer: B. Advanced CKD often requires moderate protein restriction and
phosphorus control to slow progression and limit hyperphosphatemia.
3. A patient is admitted with severe malnutrition. Which lab most specifically reflects long-
term protein status?
A. Serum albumin
B. Serum glucose
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum hemoglobin
Answer: A. Serum albumin reflects longer-term protein status (weeks), though
affected by hydration and acute illness.
4. For accurate weight-based medication dosing in obese patients, which weight is preferred
for most drug calculations?
, A. Ideal body weight (IBW)
B. Actual body weight always
C. Adjusted body weight for some drugs
D. BMI only
Answer: C. Adjusted body weight is commonly used for dosing certain
medications in obesity to avoid overdosing.
5. Which vitamin deficiency causes night blindness and xerosis?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin A
D. Vitamin K
Answer: C. Vitamin A deficiency impairs retinal function leading to night
blindness and conjunctival/skin dryness.
6. A patient with peptic ulcer disease asks which beverage to avoid because it can increase
gastric acid. Which is correct?
A. Milk
B. Water
C. Coffee (regular black coffee)
D. Herbal tea
Answer: C. Coffee stimulates gastric acid secretion and may exacerbate dyspepsia
or ulcers in some patients.
7. Which nutrient is most important to monitor in a patient receiving total parenteral
nutrition (TPN)?
A. Vitamin A only
B. Electrolytes and glucose daily
C. Fiber intake
D. Dietary cholesterol
Answer: B. TPN requires frequent monitoring of electrolytes, glucose, and fluid
status to prevent metabolic complications.
8. A patient has iron-deficiency anemia. The nurse should teach that the best dietary source
of absorbable iron is:
A. Spinach (non-heme)
B. Red meat (heme iron)
C. Whole wheat bread
D. Milk
Answer: B. Heme iron from animal products (red meat) is better absorbed than
non-heme plant sources.
9. Which instruction helps maximize iron absorption from oral iron supplements?
A. Take with milk and calcium-rich foods
B. Take with orange juice or vitamin C–rich beverage
C. Take at bedtime with antacid
D. Take with high-fiber cereal
, Answer: B. Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption; avoid
calcium/antacids that inhibit absorption.
10. A patient with lactose intolerance should be advised to:
A. Completely avoid all dairy indefinitely
B. Use lactase enzyme preparations or consume small amounts of lactose with meals
C. Only drink whole milk
D. Increase intake of raw milk
Answer: B. Many tolerate small lactose amounts or use lactase supplements;
complete avoidance is not always necessary.
11. Which dietary modification is most appropriate for a patient with congestive heart failure
(CHF)?
A. High-sodium diet to maintain blood pressure
B. Sodium restriction and possible fluid restriction per provider orders
C. High-fluid intake without limit
D. Increased simple sugars for energy
Answer: B. Sodium and sometimes fluid restriction reduce fluid retention and
symptoms in CHF.
12. A patient with celiac disease should avoid:
A. Rice and corn
B. Wheat, barley, and rye (gluten-containing grains)
C. Fruit and vegetables
D. Potatoes
Answer: B. Celiac disease requires strict gluten-free diet avoiding wheat, barley,
rye and derivatives.
13. Which fatty acid is considered essential and must be obtained from diet?
A. Palmitic acid
B. Linoleic acid (omega-6)
C. Stearic acid
D. Cholesterol
Answer: B. Linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) are essential fatty
acids.
14. A postoperative patient is refusing meals and losing weight. The nurse should first:
A. Begin TPN immediately
B. Assess reasons for poor intake and screen for swallowing/dysphagia or nausea
C. Force the patient to eat
D. Stop monitoring intake
Answer: B. Assess underlying causes (pain, nausea, dysphagia, depression) before
escalating nutrition support.
15. A patient with pancreatitis should be placed on which initial diet as tolerated?
A. High-fat meals to stimulate pancreas
B. NPO initially, then advance to clear liquids then low-fat diet as tolerated
C. Large bolus fatty meals
D. Unlimited alcohol
Updates With Correct Answers 100% With Complete Solutions
Pass Guaranteed-Graded A+
1. A nurse assesses a newly admitted patient and finds BMI = 31 kg/m². This BMI is
classified as:
A. Normal weight
B. Overweight
C. Obesity class I
D. Obesity class II
Answer: C. BMI 30.0–34.9 is obesity class I.
2. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 requires a diet modification. Which
is most appropriate?
A. High-protein, high-phosphorus diet
B. Low-protein, controlled phosphorus diet as recommended by nephrology
C. High-sodium, high-protein diet
D. Unlimited potassium foods
Answer: B. Advanced CKD often requires moderate protein restriction and
phosphorus control to slow progression and limit hyperphosphatemia.
3. A patient is admitted with severe malnutrition. Which lab most specifically reflects long-
term protein status?
A. Serum albumin
B. Serum glucose
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum hemoglobin
Answer: A. Serum albumin reflects longer-term protein status (weeks), though
affected by hydration and acute illness.
4. For accurate weight-based medication dosing in obese patients, which weight is preferred
for most drug calculations?
, A. Ideal body weight (IBW)
B. Actual body weight always
C. Adjusted body weight for some drugs
D. BMI only
Answer: C. Adjusted body weight is commonly used for dosing certain
medications in obesity to avoid overdosing.
5. Which vitamin deficiency causes night blindness and xerosis?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin A
D. Vitamin K
Answer: C. Vitamin A deficiency impairs retinal function leading to night
blindness and conjunctival/skin dryness.
6. A patient with peptic ulcer disease asks which beverage to avoid because it can increase
gastric acid. Which is correct?
A. Milk
B. Water
C. Coffee (regular black coffee)
D. Herbal tea
Answer: C. Coffee stimulates gastric acid secretion and may exacerbate dyspepsia
or ulcers in some patients.
7. Which nutrient is most important to monitor in a patient receiving total parenteral
nutrition (TPN)?
A. Vitamin A only
B. Electrolytes and glucose daily
C. Fiber intake
D. Dietary cholesterol
Answer: B. TPN requires frequent monitoring of electrolytes, glucose, and fluid
status to prevent metabolic complications.
8. A patient has iron-deficiency anemia. The nurse should teach that the best dietary source
of absorbable iron is:
A. Spinach (non-heme)
B. Red meat (heme iron)
C. Whole wheat bread
D. Milk
Answer: B. Heme iron from animal products (red meat) is better absorbed than
non-heme plant sources.
9. Which instruction helps maximize iron absorption from oral iron supplements?
A. Take with milk and calcium-rich foods
B. Take with orange juice or vitamin C–rich beverage
C. Take at bedtime with antacid
D. Take with high-fiber cereal
, Answer: B. Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption; avoid
calcium/antacids that inhibit absorption.
10. A patient with lactose intolerance should be advised to:
A. Completely avoid all dairy indefinitely
B. Use lactase enzyme preparations or consume small amounts of lactose with meals
C. Only drink whole milk
D. Increase intake of raw milk
Answer: B. Many tolerate small lactose amounts or use lactase supplements;
complete avoidance is not always necessary.
11. Which dietary modification is most appropriate for a patient with congestive heart failure
(CHF)?
A. High-sodium diet to maintain blood pressure
B. Sodium restriction and possible fluid restriction per provider orders
C. High-fluid intake without limit
D. Increased simple sugars for energy
Answer: B. Sodium and sometimes fluid restriction reduce fluid retention and
symptoms in CHF.
12. A patient with celiac disease should avoid:
A. Rice and corn
B. Wheat, barley, and rye (gluten-containing grains)
C. Fruit and vegetables
D. Potatoes
Answer: B. Celiac disease requires strict gluten-free diet avoiding wheat, barley,
rye and derivatives.
13. Which fatty acid is considered essential and must be obtained from diet?
A. Palmitic acid
B. Linoleic acid (omega-6)
C. Stearic acid
D. Cholesterol
Answer: B. Linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) are essential fatty
acids.
14. A postoperative patient is refusing meals and losing weight. The nurse should first:
A. Begin TPN immediately
B. Assess reasons for poor intake and screen for swallowing/dysphagia or nausea
C. Force the patient to eat
D. Stop monitoring intake
Answer: B. Assess underlying causes (pain, nausea, dysphagia, depression) before
escalating nutrition support.
15. A patient with pancreatitis should be placed on which initial diet as tolerated?
A. High-fat meals to stimulate pancreas
B. NPO initially, then advance to clear liquids then low-fat diet as tolerated
C. Large bolus fatty meals
D. Unlimited alcohol
