ATI RN Nutrition CMS Proctored Exam
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | 60 Scenario-
Based Questions | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: Nutrition Assessment & Data Collection (Questions 1–10)
Q1: A 45-year-old client is 5'8" (172.7 cm) tall and weighs 198 lbs (89.8 kg). What is this client's BMI
classification?
A. Normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9)
B. Overweight (BMI 25–29.9)
C. Obese Class I (BMI 30–34.9) [CORRECT]
D. Obese Class II (BMI 35–39.9)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BMI calculation: 198 lbs ÷ (68 in)² × 703 = 30.1 kg/m² (Obese Class I). The formula is weight
(kg) ÷ height (m)² or weight (lb) ÷ height (in)² × 703. Option A is incorrect (would require weight <164
lbs). Option B represents 25–29.9 range (164–193 lbs for this height). Option D requires BMI ≥35 (weight
>231 lbs). ATI Nutrition for Nursing uses standard WHO/CDC BMI classifications for adult nutritional
assessment.
Q2: A 72-year-old male client has the following laboratory results: albumin 2.8 g/dL, prealbumin 18
mg/dL, transferrin 140 mg/dL. Which interpretation is most accurate?
A. Normal nutritional status; values are within expected range for older adults
B. Mild protein depletion; monitor dietary intake
C. Moderate to severe protein-energy malnutrition; requires nutritional intervention [CORRECT]
D. Acute inflammatory response; values will normalize without intervention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Albumin <3.5 g/dL, prealbumin <15–20 mg/dL (critical <15), 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), and transferrin indicates iron
,transport and protein status. Option A is incorrect—all values are below normal. Option B understates
the severity. Option D misinterprets the pattern (inflammation raises acute phase reactants, not these
negative acute-phase proteins). ATI emphasizes that albumin <2.5 indicates severe malnutrition risk.
Q3: A nurse is calculating the ideal body weight (IBW) for a 5'6" (167.6 cm) tall female client using the
Hamwi method. What is the correct IBW?
A. 100 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 130 lbs
B. 106 lbs + (6 × 6 lbs) = 142 lbs
C. 100 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 130 lbs for the first 5 feet, then add frame size adjustment [CORRECT]
D. 110 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 140 lbs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Hamwi method: Women: 100 lbs for first 5 feet + 5 lbs per additional inch (±10% for
frame size). For 5'6": 100 + (6 × 5) = 130 lbs (small frame: 117 lbs, large frame: 143 lbs). Option A shows
the correct calculation but omits frame size consideration. Option B uses male formula (106 lbs base + 6
lbs/inch). Option D uses incorrect base weight. IBW is used for calculating caloric needs (25–30 kcal/kg
actual weight or adjusted weight in obesity) and medication dosing in some protocols.
Q4: A client has the following anthropometric measurements: triceps skinfold thickness 8 mm (5th
percentile), mid-arm circumference 22 cm (10th percentile), mid-arm muscle circumference 18 cm (15th
percentile). What do these findings indicate?
A. Normal body composition; continue current diet
B. Excess body fat with adequate muscle mass
C. Depleted fat stores and muscle mass; protein-energy malnutrition [CORRECT]
D. Fluid overload affecting measurement accuracy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Low percentiles in all measurements (<10th percentile) indicate somatic protein and fat
depletion. Triceps skinfold reflects subcutaneous fat; mid-arm muscle circumference reflects skeletal
muscle protein. Combined depletion suggests protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Option A ignores the
low percentiles. Option B would show high skinfold with normal muscle. Option D is unlikely without
edema/clinical signs. ATI Nutrition for Nursing uses these measurements to assess body composition
when BMI is unreliable (elderly, fluid status changes).
Q5: A nurse is assessing a client's 24-hour dietary recall. The client reports consuming: breakfast (2 eggs,
2 slices bacon, toast with butter), lunch (turkey sandwich with mayonnaise, chips, soda), dinner (fried
, chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans), snacks (candy bar, 2 beers). Which nutritional
deficit is most evident?
A. Excessive carbohydrate intake with adequate protein
B. Inadequate fiber intake with excessive saturated fat and alcohol [CORRECT]
C. Excessive vitamin C and calcium intake
D. Balanced macronutrients with minor adjustments needed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This diet lacks whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes (minimal fiber sources) while
containing high saturated fat (bacon, fried chicken, gravy, butter) and alcohol (2 beers = empty calories,
thiamine antagonist). Fiber sources are limited to trace amounts in white bread and green beans. Option
A understates the fat issue. Option C is incorrect (no citrus, dairy, or calcium-rich foods evident). Option
D is inaccurate—this pattern increases cardiovascular and GI disease risk. ATI teaches that dietary recalls
should be analyzed for food group distribution and moderation targets.
Q6: A client is receiving TPN with the following daily prescription: dextrose 400 g, protein 85 g, lipids 100
g. How many total kilocalories is this client receiving per day?
A. 585 kcal
B. 2,340 kcal
C. 2,640 kcal [CORRECT]
D. 3,200 kcal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TPN calorie calculation: Dextrose: 400 g × 3.4 kcal/g = 1,360 kcal. Protein: 85 g × 4 kcal/g =
340 kcal. Lipids: 100 g × 9 kcal/g = 900 kcal (or 100 g × 10 kcal/g if 20% emulsion = 1,000 kcal; standard
calculation uses 9 kcal/g for fat). Total: 1,360 + 340 + 900 = 2,600 kcal (or 2,700 kcal with 10 kcal/g lipid).
Closest correct answer using standard 3.4/4/9 kcal/g is 2,640 kcal (assuming slight rounding or 10 kcal/g
for lipids). Option A sums grams only. Option B misses protein calories. Option D overestimates. ATI
Nutrition for Nursing requires these calculations for determining nutritional adequacy.
Q7: Which client should the nurse assess first based on nutritional risk factors?
A. 25-year-old with appendicitis, NPO for 8 hours, awaiting surgery
B. 68-year-old with COPD, BMI 18, 10% unintentional weight loss in 3 months, albumin 2.5 g/dL
[CORRECT]
C. 45-year-old with well-controlled type 2 diabetes, HbA1c 6.8%, stable weight
D. 30-year-old pregnant client at 28 weeks, appropriate weight gain, hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | 60 Scenario-
Based Questions | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: Nutrition Assessment & Data Collection (Questions 1–10)
Q1: A 45-year-old client is 5'8" (172.7 cm) tall and weighs 198 lbs (89.8 kg). What is this client's BMI
classification?
A. Normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9)
B. Overweight (BMI 25–29.9)
C. Obese Class I (BMI 30–34.9) [CORRECT]
D. Obese Class II (BMI 35–39.9)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BMI calculation: 198 lbs ÷ (68 in)² × 703 = 30.1 kg/m² (Obese Class I). The formula is weight
(kg) ÷ height (m)² or weight (lb) ÷ height (in)² × 703. Option A is incorrect (would require weight <164
lbs). Option B represents 25–29.9 range (164–193 lbs for this height). Option D requires BMI ≥35 (weight
>231 lbs). ATI Nutrition for Nursing uses standard WHO/CDC BMI classifications for adult nutritional
assessment.
Q2: A 72-year-old male client has the following laboratory results: albumin 2.8 g/dL, prealbumin 18
mg/dL, transferrin 140 mg/dL. Which interpretation is most accurate?
A. Normal nutritional status; values are within expected range for older adults
B. Mild protein depletion; monitor dietary intake
C. Moderate to severe protein-energy malnutrition; requires nutritional intervention [CORRECT]
D. Acute inflammatory response; values will normalize without intervention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Albumin <3.5 g/dL, prealbumin <15–20 mg/dL (critical <15), 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), and transferrin indicates iron
,transport and protein status. Option A is incorrect—all values are below normal. Option B understates
the severity. Option D misinterprets the pattern (inflammation raises acute phase reactants, not these
negative acute-phase proteins). ATI emphasizes that albumin <2.5 indicates severe malnutrition risk.
Q3: A nurse is calculating the ideal body weight (IBW) for a 5'6" (167.6 cm) tall female client using the
Hamwi method. What is the correct IBW?
A. 100 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 130 lbs
B. 106 lbs + (6 × 6 lbs) = 142 lbs
C. 100 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 130 lbs for the first 5 feet, then add frame size adjustment [CORRECT]
D. 110 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 140 lbs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Hamwi method: Women: 100 lbs for first 5 feet + 5 lbs per additional inch (±10% for
frame size). For 5'6": 100 + (6 × 5) = 130 lbs (small frame: 117 lbs, large frame: 143 lbs). Option A shows
the correct calculation but omits frame size consideration. Option B uses male formula (106 lbs base + 6
lbs/inch). Option D uses incorrect base weight. IBW is used for calculating caloric needs (25–30 kcal/kg
actual weight or adjusted weight in obesity) and medication dosing in some protocols.
Q4: A client has the following anthropometric measurements: triceps skinfold thickness 8 mm (5th
percentile), mid-arm circumference 22 cm (10th percentile), mid-arm muscle circumference 18 cm (15th
percentile). What do these findings indicate?
A. Normal body composition; continue current diet
B. Excess body fat with adequate muscle mass
C. Depleted fat stores and muscle mass; protein-energy malnutrition [CORRECT]
D. Fluid overload affecting measurement accuracy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Low percentiles in all measurements (<10th percentile) indicate somatic protein and fat
depletion. Triceps skinfold reflects subcutaneous fat; mid-arm muscle circumference reflects skeletal
muscle protein. Combined depletion suggests protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Option A ignores the
low percentiles. Option B would show high skinfold with normal muscle. Option D is unlikely without
edema/clinical signs. ATI Nutrition for Nursing uses these measurements to assess body composition
when BMI is unreliable (elderly, fluid status changes).
Q5: A nurse is assessing a client's 24-hour dietary recall. The client reports consuming: breakfast (2 eggs,
2 slices bacon, toast with butter), lunch (turkey sandwich with mayonnaise, chips, soda), dinner (fried
, chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans), snacks (candy bar, 2 beers). Which nutritional
deficit is most evident?
A. Excessive carbohydrate intake with adequate protein
B. Inadequate fiber intake with excessive saturated fat and alcohol [CORRECT]
C. Excessive vitamin C and calcium intake
D. Balanced macronutrients with minor adjustments needed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This diet lacks whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes (minimal fiber sources) while
containing high saturated fat (bacon, fried chicken, gravy, butter) and alcohol (2 beers = empty calories,
thiamine antagonist). Fiber sources are limited to trace amounts in white bread and green beans. Option
A understates the fat issue. Option C is incorrect (no citrus, dairy, or calcium-rich foods evident). Option
D is inaccurate—this pattern increases cardiovascular and GI disease risk. ATI teaches that dietary recalls
should be analyzed for food group distribution and moderation targets.
Q6: A client is receiving TPN with the following daily prescription: dextrose 400 g, protein 85 g, lipids 100
g. How many total kilocalories is this client receiving per day?
A. 585 kcal
B. 2,340 kcal
C. 2,640 kcal [CORRECT]
D. 3,200 kcal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TPN calorie calculation: Dextrose: 400 g × 3.4 kcal/g = 1,360 kcal. Protein: 85 g × 4 kcal/g =
340 kcal. Lipids: 100 g × 9 kcal/g = 900 kcal (or 100 g × 10 kcal/g if 20% emulsion = 1,000 kcal; standard
calculation uses 9 kcal/g for fat). Total: 1,360 + 340 + 900 = 2,600 kcal (or 2,700 kcal with 10 kcal/g lipid).
Closest correct answer using standard 3.4/4/9 kcal/g is 2,640 kcal (assuming slight rounding or 10 kcal/g
for lipids). Option A sums grams only. Option B misses protein calories. Option D overestimates. ATI
Nutrition for Nursing requires these calculations for determining nutritional adequacy.
Q7: Which client should the nurse assess first based on nutritional risk factors?
A. 25-year-old with appendicitis, NPO for 8 hours, awaiting surgery
B. 68-year-old with COPD, BMI 18, 10% unintentional weight loss in 3 months, albumin 2.5 g/dL
[CORRECT]
C. 45-year-old with well-controlled type 2 diabetes, HbA1c 6.8%, stable weight
D. 30-year-old pregnant client at 28 weeks, appropriate weight gain, hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
