RN ATI NUTRITION PROCTORED EXAM
Actual Exam 2026/2027 Complete
Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Detailed Rationales - Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Nutrition Assessment and Across the Lifespan | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Lipids | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Vitamins, Minerals, and Fluid Balance | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Clinical Nutrition and Enteral/Parenteral Feeding | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Metabolic Disorders, Food Safety, and Pharmacology | Q41 – Q50
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: NUTRITION ASSESSMENT AND ACROSS THE LIFESPAN Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 72-year-old male client is admitted to the hospital for hip replacement surgery. On
admission, the nurse notes he has lost 8% of his body weight over the past 3 months,
his albumin is 3.2 g/dL, and he reports eating only about half his usual meals due to
poor appetite. Using the ASPEN/Academy consensus criteria, the nurse determines this
client is at what level of nutrition risk?
,A. No nutrition risk; these findings are within normal limits for his age
B. Mild nutrition risk; only one criterion is met for malnutrition
C. Moderate malnutrition; two or more criteria support this diagnosis ✓ CORRECT
D. Severe malnutrition; immediate TPN initiation is indicated
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to ASPEN/Academy consensus criteria, moderate malnutrition is
diagnosed when two or more of the six characteristics are present, including significant
unintended weight loss (5–10% in 3–6 months), reduced food intake, and low albumin.
Option B is tempting because the findings might seem borderline, but 8% weight loss
plus reduced intake and low albumin clearly meets two or more criteria. In practice,
identifying moderate malnutrition early allows for nutrition intervention before surgery,
which improves wound healing and reduces complications.
Question 2 of 50
A school nurse is conducting nutrition screenings at an elementary school. A 7-year-old
girl's BMI plots at the 92nd percentile for her age and sex. Her parents state she is "just
a healthy eater" and express concern that restricting her diet might cause an eating
disorder. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A. Reassure the parents that a BMI at the 92nd percentile is considered normal and
healthy for children
B. Explain that her BMI falls in the overweight category and recommend a referral to the
pediatrician for further evaluation ✓ CORRECT
C. Suggest the parents immediately eliminate all sugary snacks and implement a strict
calorie-counting plan
D. Recommend starting a weight-loss medication approved for children her age
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A BMI between the 85th and 94th percentile is classified as overweight in
children, making a pediatric referral appropriate for comprehensive assessment and
family-based lifestyle counseling. Option A is incorrect because the 92nd percentile is
not within the healthy weight range (5th to 84th percentile), and minimizing the concern
delays intervention. The nurse should frame the conversation positively, focusing on
healthy habits rather than weight stigma, which supports the family's engagement in
long-term behavior change.
Question 3 of 50
A 28-year-old pregnant client at 16 weeks gestation tells the prenatal clinic nurse she
has been following a strict vegan diet for three years. She reports feeling unusually
fatigued and has been craving ice. Her hemoglobin is 9.8 g/dL. The nurse recognizes
that the most likely nutritional deficiency contributing to her symptoms is:
A. Folate deficiency, which is common in all pregnant women regardless of diet
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can occur with inadequate supplementation in vegan
diets ✓ CORRECT
C. Calcium deficiency, which causes pica and anemia in pregnancy
D. Vitamin D deficiency, which primarily presents with bone pain and fatigue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vegan diets lack natural sources of vitamin B12, and without
supplementation, deficiency develops over 2–3 years, causing megaloblastic anemia,
fatigue, and neurological symptoms; pica (ice craving) can also accompany iron
deficiency, which often coexists with B12 deficiency in vegan pregnancy. Option A is
, incorrect because while folate needs increase in pregnancy, folate is abundant in plant
foods and deficiency is unlikely in a well-planned vegan diet. Preconception and
prenatal B12 supplementation is essential for vegan clients to prevent irreversible
neurological damage in both mother and fetus.
Question 4 of 50
A nurse is assessing a 55-year-old client with a history of alcohol use disorder who was
admitted for pancreatitis. During the nutrition assessment, the nurse notes bilateral
pedal edema, a beefy red tongue, and reports of recent memory problems. The nurse
correlates these findings with a deficiency of which nutrient?
A. Vitamin B1 (thiamine), which causes Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and peripheral
edema ✓ CORRECT
B. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which causes peripheral neuropathy and glossitis
C. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), which causes macrocytic anemia and neurological deficits
D. Folate, which causes megaloblastic anemia but not neurological symptoms
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Thiamine deficiency in chronic alcohol use causes Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome (confusion, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, memory deficits) and wet beriberi
(high-output cardiac failure with peripheral edema), with glossitis also reported in
deficiency states. Option C is tempting because B12 deficiency also causes
neurological symptoms, but the acute presentation with edema and the alcohol history
point specifically to thiamine. In acute care, thiamine must be administered before
glucose-containing IV fluids to prevent precipitating or worsening Wernicke
encephalopathy.
Actual Exam 2026/2027 Complete
Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Detailed Rationales - Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Nutrition Assessment and Across the Lifespan | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Lipids | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Vitamins, Minerals, and Fluid Balance | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Clinical Nutrition and Enteral/Parenteral Feeding | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Metabolic Disorders, Food Safety, and Pharmacology | Q41 – Q50
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: NUTRITION ASSESSMENT AND ACROSS THE LIFESPAN Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 72-year-old male client is admitted to the hospital for hip replacement surgery. On
admission, the nurse notes he has lost 8% of his body weight over the past 3 months,
his albumin is 3.2 g/dL, and he reports eating only about half his usual meals due to
poor appetite. Using the ASPEN/Academy consensus criteria, the nurse determines this
client is at what level of nutrition risk?
,A. No nutrition risk; these findings are within normal limits for his age
B. Mild nutrition risk; only one criterion is met for malnutrition
C. Moderate malnutrition; two or more criteria support this diagnosis ✓ CORRECT
D. Severe malnutrition; immediate TPN initiation is indicated
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to ASPEN/Academy consensus criteria, moderate malnutrition is
diagnosed when two or more of the six characteristics are present, including significant
unintended weight loss (5–10% in 3–6 months), reduced food intake, and low albumin.
Option B is tempting because the findings might seem borderline, but 8% weight loss
plus reduced intake and low albumin clearly meets two or more criteria. In practice,
identifying moderate malnutrition early allows for nutrition intervention before surgery,
which improves wound healing and reduces complications.
Question 2 of 50
A school nurse is conducting nutrition screenings at an elementary school. A 7-year-old
girl's BMI plots at the 92nd percentile for her age and sex. Her parents state she is "just
a healthy eater" and express concern that restricting her diet might cause an eating
disorder. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A. Reassure the parents that a BMI at the 92nd percentile is considered normal and
healthy for children
B. Explain that her BMI falls in the overweight category and recommend a referral to the
pediatrician for further evaluation ✓ CORRECT
C. Suggest the parents immediately eliminate all sugary snacks and implement a strict
calorie-counting plan
D. Recommend starting a weight-loss medication approved for children her age
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A BMI between the 85th and 94th percentile is classified as overweight in
children, making a pediatric referral appropriate for comprehensive assessment and
family-based lifestyle counseling. Option A is incorrect because the 92nd percentile is
not within the healthy weight range (5th to 84th percentile), and minimizing the concern
delays intervention. The nurse should frame the conversation positively, focusing on
healthy habits rather than weight stigma, which supports the family's engagement in
long-term behavior change.
Question 3 of 50
A 28-year-old pregnant client at 16 weeks gestation tells the prenatal clinic nurse she
has been following a strict vegan diet for three years. She reports feeling unusually
fatigued and has been craving ice. Her hemoglobin is 9.8 g/dL. The nurse recognizes
that the most likely nutritional deficiency contributing to her symptoms is:
A. Folate deficiency, which is common in all pregnant women regardless of diet
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can occur with inadequate supplementation in vegan
diets ✓ CORRECT
C. Calcium deficiency, which causes pica and anemia in pregnancy
D. Vitamin D deficiency, which primarily presents with bone pain and fatigue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vegan diets lack natural sources of vitamin B12, and without
supplementation, deficiency develops over 2–3 years, causing megaloblastic anemia,
fatigue, and neurological symptoms; pica (ice craving) can also accompany iron
deficiency, which often coexists with B12 deficiency in vegan pregnancy. Option A is
, incorrect because while folate needs increase in pregnancy, folate is abundant in plant
foods and deficiency is unlikely in a well-planned vegan diet. Preconception and
prenatal B12 supplementation is essential for vegan clients to prevent irreversible
neurological damage in both mother and fetus.
Question 4 of 50
A nurse is assessing a 55-year-old client with a history of alcohol use disorder who was
admitted for pancreatitis. During the nutrition assessment, the nurse notes bilateral
pedal edema, a beefy red tongue, and reports of recent memory problems. The nurse
correlates these findings with a deficiency of which nutrient?
A. Vitamin B1 (thiamine), which causes Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and peripheral
edema ✓ CORRECT
B. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which causes peripheral neuropathy and glossitis
C. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), which causes macrocytic anemia and neurological deficits
D. Folate, which causes megaloblastic anemia but not neurological symptoms
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Thiamine deficiency in chronic alcohol use causes Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome (confusion, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, memory deficits) and wet beriberi
(high-output cardiac failure with peripheral edema), with glossitis also reported in
deficiency states. Option C is tempting because B12 deficiency also causes
neurological symptoms, but the acute presentation with edema and the alcohol history
point specifically to thiamine. In acute care, thiamine must be administered before
glucose-containing IV fluids to prevent precipitating or worsening Wernicke
encephalopathy.
