RN ATI Nutrition Proctored Exam (2023/2024/2025) – 200
Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales
1: Nutrition Across the Lifespan – Pregnancy & Lactation
1. A nurse is providing dietary teaching about the prevention of neural tube defects to a client who is
pregnant. Which of the following nutrients should the nurse recommend?
A) Calcium
B) Folate (Folic acid)
C) Vitamin B12
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B) Folate (Folic acid)
Rationale: Folic acid (vitamin B9) is crucial for proper neural tube closure during the first trimester. A
deficiency can lead to spina bifida or anencephaly. While iron, calcium, and vitamin D are important
during pregnancy, they do not specifically prevent neural tube defects..
2. A client who is breastfeeding asks the nurse about increasing her milk supply. Which of the following
foods is traditionally believed to help with lactation (galactagogue)?
A) Grapes
B) Oatmeal
C) Citrus fruits
D) Celery
Correct Answer: B) Oatmeal
Rationale: Oats are a commonly recommended galactagogue believed to help support milk production.
While hydration and overall nutrition are key, oats are a specific food often suggested for this purpose..
3. A nurse is providing nutritional counseling to a postpartum client who is breastfeeding. Which
nutrient's requirement increases the most during lactation compared to pregnancy?
A) Iron
, B) Folic Acid
C) Calcium
D) Vitamin C
Correct Answer: C) Calcium
Rationale: Breastfeeding mothers need adequate calcium intake to maintain bone health, as calcium is
transferred to the infant through breast milk without regard for maternal stores. Requirements for
calcium are higher during lactation than during pregnancy..
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods to avoid. Which food should the nurse instruct the
client to avoid due to the risk of listeriosis?
A) Pasteurized yogurt
B) Soft cheeses like feta or queso fresco
C) Well-cooked scrambled eggs
D) Canned tuna (in moderation)
Correct Answer: B) Soft cheeses like feta or queso fresco
Rationale: Unpasteurized soft cheeses are a common source of Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause
severe fetal infection or pregnancy loss. Hard cheeses, pasteurized dairy, and cooked foods are generally
safe..
5. A nurse is teaching the parent of a 6-month-old infant about introducing solid foods. Which of the
following foods should the nurse recommend introducing first?
A) Strained fruits
B) Iron-fortified rice cereal
C) Egg whites
D) Whole milk
Correct Answer: B) Iron-fortified rice cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified single-grain cereals are typically recommended as the first solid food for infants
around 6 months of age because they provide a good source of iron and are easily digestible. They are
also less allergenic than other foods..
,6. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescent athletes about nutrition. Which snack should the nurse
recommend to provide the most sustained energy for endurance?
A) A candy bar
B) Peanut butter on whole-wheat toast
C) A sugary sports drink
D) A diet soda
Correct Answer: B) Peanut butter on whole-wheat toast
Rationale: Peanut butter provides protein and fat, while whole-wheat toast provides complex
carbohydrates. This combination provides sustained energy (slower digestion) compared to simple
sugars found in candy bars and sports drinks, which cause rapid spikes and crashes..
7. A nurse is discharging a client who is breastfeeding. Which instruction should the nurse include
regarding the use of expressed breast milk?
A) "You can place thawed breast milk back in the freezer for later use."
B) "You cannot place thawed breast milk back in the freezer."
C) "Thawed breast milk can be left at room temperature for up to 4 hours."
D) "You should warm breast milk in a microwave for 30 seconds."
Correct Answer: B) "You cannot place thawed breast milk back in the freezer."
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that completely thawed breast milk can be stored in the
refrigerator but must be used within 24 hr. Breast milk that has been previously frozen should not be
refrozen once it has thawed completely. Thawing creates a possibility for bacterial growth and causes a
decrease in antibacterial activity, which destroys antibodies in the milk..
8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a postpartum client about breast milk use and storage.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A) "Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to 8 hours."
B) "You can thaw frozen breast milk in the microwave if you are in a hurry."
C) "Once refrigerated, breast milk should be used within 24 hours."
D) "A slight sour smell is normal for refrigerated breast milk."
, Correct Answer: C) "Once refrigerated, breast milk should be used within 24 hours."
Rationale: According to CDC guidelines, freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator
for up to 4 days, but the safest practice is to use it within 24-48 hours. However, thawed breast milk that
was previously frozen must be used within 24 hours after thawing..
9. A nurse is calculating the caloric needs for a postpartum client who is exclusively breastfeeding. The
nurse should increase the client's daily caloric intake by approximately how many calories above the
prepregnancy requirement?
A) 200–250 kcal/day
B) 330–400 kcal/day during the first 6 months
C) 450–500 kcal/day
D) 600–700 kcal/day during the first 6 months
Correct Answer: B) 330–400 kcal/day during the first 6 months
Rationale: To support milk production and maintain energy balance, lactating women typically need an
additional 330 to 400 kilocalories per day during the first 6 months postpartum. This supports the
energy demands of exclusive breastfeeding.
10. A client who is 10 weeks pregnant asks the nurse about increasing her intake of DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid) to support her baby's brain development. The nurse should recommend which
of the following food sources?
A) Lean beef
B) Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, sardines)
C) Whole grains
D) Oranges
Correct Answer: B) Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, sardines)
Rationale: DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid critical for fetal brain and retinal development. Good dietary
sources include fatty fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, and trout. Pregnant women should avoid
high-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and limit tuna.
Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales
1: Nutrition Across the Lifespan – Pregnancy & Lactation
1. A nurse is providing dietary teaching about the prevention of neural tube defects to a client who is
pregnant. Which of the following nutrients should the nurse recommend?
A) Calcium
B) Folate (Folic acid)
C) Vitamin B12
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B) Folate (Folic acid)
Rationale: Folic acid (vitamin B9) is crucial for proper neural tube closure during the first trimester. A
deficiency can lead to spina bifida or anencephaly. While iron, calcium, and vitamin D are important
during pregnancy, they do not specifically prevent neural tube defects..
2. A client who is breastfeeding asks the nurse about increasing her milk supply. Which of the following
foods is traditionally believed to help with lactation (galactagogue)?
A) Grapes
B) Oatmeal
C) Citrus fruits
D) Celery
Correct Answer: B) Oatmeal
Rationale: Oats are a commonly recommended galactagogue believed to help support milk production.
While hydration and overall nutrition are key, oats are a specific food often suggested for this purpose..
3. A nurse is providing nutritional counseling to a postpartum client who is breastfeeding. Which
nutrient's requirement increases the most during lactation compared to pregnancy?
A) Iron
, B) Folic Acid
C) Calcium
D) Vitamin C
Correct Answer: C) Calcium
Rationale: Breastfeeding mothers need adequate calcium intake to maintain bone health, as calcium is
transferred to the infant through breast milk without regard for maternal stores. Requirements for
calcium are higher during lactation than during pregnancy..
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods to avoid. Which food should the nurse instruct the
client to avoid due to the risk of listeriosis?
A) Pasteurized yogurt
B) Soft cheeses like feta or queso fresco
C) Well-cooked scrambled eggs
D) Canned tuna (in moderation)
Correct Answer: B) Soft cheeses like feta or queso fresco
Rationale: Unpasteurized soft cheeses are a common source of Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause
severe fetal infection or pregnancy loss. Hard cheeses, pasteurized dairy, and cooked foods are generally
safe..
5. A nurse is teaching the parent of a 6-month-old infant about introducing solid foods. Which of the
following foods should the nurse recommend introducing first?
A) Strained fruits
B) Iron-fortified rice cereal
C) Egg whites
D) Whole milk
Correct Answer: B) Iron-fortified rice cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified single-grain cereals are typically recommended as the first solid food for infants
around 6 months of age because they provide a good source of iron and are easily digestible. They are
also less allergenic than other foods..
,6. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescent athletes about nutrition. Which snack should the nurse
recommend to provide the most sustained energy for endurance?
A) A candy bar
B) Peanut butter on whole-wheat toast
C) A sugary sports drink
D) A diet soda
Correct Answer: B) Peanut butter on whole-wheat toast
Rationale: Peanut butter provides protein and fat, while whole-wheat toast provides complex
carbohydrates. This combination provides sustained energy (slower digestion) compared to simple
sugars found in candy bars and sports drinks, which cause rapid spikes and crashes..
7. A nurse is discharging a client who is breastfeeding. Which instruction should the nurse include
regarding the use of expressed breast milk?
A) "You can place thawed breast milk back in the freezer for later use."
B) "You cannot place thawed breast milk back in the freezer."
C) "Thawed breast milk can be left at room temperature for up to 4 hours."
D) "You should warm breast milk in a microwave for 30 seconds."
Correct Answer: B) "You cannot place thawed breast milk back in the freezer."
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that completely thawed breast milk can be stored in the
refrigerator but must be used within 24 hr. Breast milk that has been previously frozen should not be
refrozen once it has thawed completely. Thawing creates a possibility for bacterial growth and causes a
decrease in antibacterial activity, which destroys antibodies in the milk..
8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a postpartum client about breast milk use and storage.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A) "Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to 8 hours."
B) "You can thaw frozen breast milk in the microwave if you are in a hurry."
C) "Once refrigerated, breast milk should be used within 24 hours."
D) "A slight sour smell is normal for refrigerated breast milk."
, Correct Answer: C) "Once refrigerated, breast milk should be used within 24 hours."
Rationale: According to CDC guidelines, freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator
for up to 4 days, but the safest practice is to use it within 24-48 hours. However, thawed breast milk that
was previously frozen must be used within 24 hours after thawing..
9. A nurse is calculating the caloric needs for a postpartum client who is exclusively breastfeeding. The
nurse should increase the client's daily caloric intake by approximately how many calories above the
prepregnancy requirement?
A) 200–250 kcal/day
B) 330–400 kcal/day during the first 6 months
C) 450–500 kcal/day
D) 600–700 kcal/day during the first 6 months
Correct Answer: B) 330–400 kcal/day during the first 6 months
Rationale: To support milk production and maintain energy balance, lactating women typically need an
additional 330 to 400 kilocalories per day during the first 6 months postpartum. This supports the
energy demands of exclusive breastfeeding.
10. A client who is 10 weeks pregnant asks the nurse about increasing her intake of DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid) to support her baby's brain development. The nurse should recommend which
of the following food sources?
A) Lean beef
B) Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, sardines)
C) Whole grains
D) Oranges
Correct Answer: B) Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, sardines)
Rationale: DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid critical for fetal brain and retinal development. Good dietary
sources include fatty fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, and trout. Pregnant women should avoid
high-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and limit tuna.
