ATI Nutrition Proctored-Questions and Answers
(2020/2021)
1. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of
gastroesophageal reflux disease. Which of the following foods or beverages should the
nurse recommended to minimize heartburn?
A. Orange juice
B. Decaffeinated coffee
C. Peppermint
D. Potatoes
Answer: D. Potatoes
2. A nurse is preparing g to teach a group of clients about vitamins and minerals. The nurse
should include in the teaching that which of the following minerals is necessary for the
transmission of nerve impulses?
A. Phosphorus
B. Calcium
C. Chloride
D. Zinc
Answer: B. Calcium
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a body mass index (BMI) of 30. Four weeks after
nutritional counseling, which of the following evaluation findings indicates the plan of care
was followed?
A. BMI of 25
B. Weight gain of 1.8kg
C. BMI of 33
D. Weight loss of 2.7kg
Answer: D. Weight loss of 2.7kg
4. A nurse is caring for a client who follows the dietary laws of Orthodox Judaism. Which
of the following meal choices should the nurse request for the client?
A. Turkey and cheese sandwich
B. Spaghetti with tomato sauce
C. Pork chop and applesauce
D. Scrambled eggs and bacon
Answer: B. Spaghetti with tomato sauce
5. A nurse is a long-term care facility is developing strategies to promote increased food
intake for an older adult client. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
implement?
A. Offer sugar substitutes to increase the client’s appetite.
B. Provide opportunities to eat three large meals per day.
C. Provide entertainment while the client is eating.
D. Offer finger foods at mealtime.
Answer: D. Offer finger foods at mealtime.
6. A nurse is caring for four clients. The nurse should plan to administer total parenteral
nutrition for which of the following clients?
A. A client who is postoperative following a laminectomy and is receiving IV PCA
B. A client who has dysphagia and does not recognize his family
C. A client who has COPD and is going home with oxygen
D. A client who has colon cancer and will undergo a hemicolectomy
Answer: D. A client who has colon cancer and will undergo a hemicolectomy
7. A nurse is performing a nutritional evaluation for a client who reports paresthesia of the
hands and feet. The nurse should identify this manifestation as an indication of which of the
following dietary deficiencies?
A. Iron
B. Riboflavin
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin B12
Answer: D. Vitamin B12
8. A nurse is caring for a client who reports she is having difficulty losing weight.
Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Eat small portions of the high-calorie foods first.
B. Set a goal and you will be able to attain it.
C. It is helpful to self-monitor your eating.
D. Taste food while cooking to help curb your appetite.
Answer: A. Eat small portions of the high-calorie foods first.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching about food choices to a client who has
hypokalemia. Which of the following foods should the nurse identify as the best source of
potassium?
A. 1 cup grapes
B. 1 cup shredded lettuce
C. 1 cup cooked tomatoes
D. 1 cup apple slices
Answer: C. 1 cup cooked tomatoes
10. A nurse is providing teaching to an obese client who has gestational diabetes and is at
25 weeks of gestation. Which of the following statements made by the client indicates a
need for further teaching?
A. This does not mean that my baby will have this disease.
B. This means that I will have diabetes for the rest of my life.
C. If I feel dizzy, I should drink six ounces of a non-diet soda.
D. Being obese might be one reason why I developed diabetes.
Answer: B. This means that I will have diabetes for the rest of my life.
11. A nurse is planning care for a client who has ascites secondary to liver disease. Which
of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Reduce complex carbohydrates to 30% of total calories.
B. Restrict protein intake to less than 0.8 g/kg/day.
C. Decrease daily caloric intake by 20%.
D. Limit sodium to 2000 mg or less per day.
Answer: D. Limit sodium to 2000 mg or less per day.
12. A nurse is planning eating strategies with a client who has nausea from equilibrium
imbalance. Which of the following strategies should the nurse recommend?
A. Encourage the client to eat even if nauseated.
B. Provide low-fat carbohydrates with meals.
C. Limit fluid intake between meals.
D. Serve hot foods at mealtime.
Answer: B. Provide low-fat carbohydrates with meals.
13. A nurse is discussing denture care with the partner of a client who is unable to perform
oral hygiene. Which of the following should be included in the discussion?
A. Floss dentures as part of daily cleaning.
B. Wipe dentures before storing them in a dry container at night.
C. Wrap gloved fingers with gauze to remove dentures.
D. Use a washcloth to clean the denture surfaces.
Answer: C. Wrap gloved fingers with gauze to remove dentures.
14. A nurse is caring for a 30-month-old toddler and is preparing a nutritional snack. Which
of the following foods is appropriate for the nurse to offer the toddler?
A. Plain popcorn
B. Grapes
C. Raw carrots
D. Cheese
Answer: D. Cheese
15. A nurse is assessing the nutritional status of an infant who is 6 months old. The infant
weighed 2.7 kg at birth. Which of the following indicate to the nurse that the infant is within
expected range?
A. 5.5 kg
B. 6.4 kg
C. 4.5 kg
D. 3.6 kg
Answer: A. 5.5 kg
16. A nurse is reinforcing dietary teaching with a client who has vitamin A deficiency.
Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend the best source of vitamin
A?
A. 1 small baked sweet potato
B. 1 cup avocado
C. 1 cup green beans
D. 1 large apple
Answer: A. 1 small baked sweet potato
17. A nurse is teaching a client who has chronic kidney disease about dietary needs. Which
of the following foods should the nurse identify as being the lowest in phosphorus?
A. Medium apple
B. Bran cereal
C. Scrambled eggs
D. Ground turkey
Answer: A. Medium apple
18. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving chemotherapy treatments. The client
states, “I feel so nauseated after my treatments.” Which of the following instructions should
the nurse provide the client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Common foods that are served cold.
B. Limit use of antiemetics until after first emesis.
C. Sit up for 1 hr after eating meals.
D. Eat foods low in carbohydrates.
E. Sip fluids slowly throughout the day.
Answer: A. Common foods that are served cold.
C. Sit up for 1 hr after eating meals.
E. Sip fluids slowly throughout the day.
19. A nurse is providing nutritional education to a client who is obese. The nurse should
include in the information that which of the following gastrointestinal disorders is
commonly associated with obesity?
A. Peptic ulcer disease
B. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
C. Celiac disease
D. Crohn’s disease
Answer: B. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
20. A nurse is completing a nutritional assessment of an adult female client. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is at an increased risk of
developing cancer?
A. Eats at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
B. Eats 6 servings of whole grains daily.
C. Limits alcohol consumption to 2 drinks per day.
D. Limits red meat intake to 3oz per day.
Answer: C. Limits alcohol consumption to 2 drinks per day.
21. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a body mass index of 28. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Encourage the client to continue current daily caloric intake.
B. Recommend a total fiber intake of 12g each day.
C. Advise the client to add 500 calories per day to the diet.
D. Refer the client to a weight-loss support group.
Answer: D. Refer the client to a weight-loss support group.
22. A nurse is teaching a client about complete and incomplete proteins. Which of the
following foods should the nurse include in the teaching as an incomplete protein?
A. 4oz chickpeas
B. 2 poached eggs
C. 2oz cheddar cheese
D. 4oz salmon fillet
Answer: A. 4oz chickpeas
23. A nurse is teaching a client about strategies to prevent constipation. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Drinking four to five glasses of water per day will prevent constipation.
B. I should consume mineral oil once per day.
C. Eating foods high in fiber will make elimination easier.
D. I can skip a meal if I feel bloated.
Answer: C. Eating foods high in fiber will make elimination easier.
24. A nurse has just inserted an NG tube for a client who is to start enteral tube feedings.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to verify tube placement?
A. Measure the tube length.
B. Obtain an abdominal x-ray.
C. Flush the tube with 20 mL of water.
D. Auscultate the client’s lungs.
Answer: B. Obtain an abdominal x-ray.
25. A nurse is admitting a client who practices Hinduism. The nurse should identify that
which of the following foods is prohibited according to Hindu dietary practices?
A. Pork
B. Chicken
C. Beef
D. Seafood
Answer: C. Beef
26. A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following actions should the nurse include in the plan?
A. Encourage the client to participate in developing a system of rewards.
B. Arrange for someone to remain with the client for 30 min after meals
C. Offer the client a selection of beverages at each meal.
D. Inform the client that a weight gain of 2.3 kg per week is expected.
Answer: A. Encourage the client to participate in developing a system of rewards.
27. A client is prescribed a 1500 calorie diet. Thirty percent of the calories are to be derived
from fat. How many grams of fat should the nurse tell the client to consume per day? (Round
the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing
zero.)
Answer: 50
28. A home health nurse is conducting an initial visit with an older adult client. The client
lives alone and has difficulty preparing his own meals. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Discuss nutritional requirements with the client.
B. Refer the client to a senior citizen center.
C. Arrange for a home-delivered meal program.
D. Perform a nutrition screening.
Answer: D. Perform a nutrition screening.
29. A nurse is providing teaching about formula feeding to the parents of an infant. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Formula that remains in the bottle should be used for one more feeding.
B. Formula should be changed to whole milk when the infant is 9 months old.
C. If the infant is gaining weight too rapidly, dilute the formula.
D. If the infant turns away after taking most of the feeding, stop the feeding.
Answer: D. If the infant turns away after taking most of the feeding, stop the feeding.
30. A nurse is teaching about implementing a heart-healthy diet to a client who has coronary
artery disease. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend to the client?
A. Baked ham
B. Processed cheese
C. Broiled salmon
D. Canned potato soup
Answer: C. Broiled salmon
31. A nurse is teaching a client about adding more fiber to his diet. The nurse should teach
the client that which of the following foods has the highest fiber content?
A. 1 cup cooked sweet potato
B. 1 slice rye toast
C. 1 cup raw watermelon
D. 1 oz cashews
Answer: A. 1 cup cooked sweet potato
32. A nurse is evaluating the meal choices of a client who has major depressive disorder
and a prescription of Phenelzine. Which of the following selections should the nurse
identify as appropriate?
A. Cheddar cheese
B. Smoked salmon
C. Strawberry yogurt
D. Pepperoni pizza
Answer: C. Strawberry yogurt
33. A nurse is providing teaching about food allergies to the parents of a toddler. Which of
the following foods should the nurse identify as highest risk for allergies in toddlers?
A. Eggs
B. Milk
C. Bananas
D. Citrus fruits
Answer: A. Eggs
34. A nurse is preparing to administer a gavage feeding via nasogastric tube to a preterm
newborn who is receiving supplemental oxygen. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Stabilize the tube with tape to the newborn’s forehead.
B. Remove supplemental oxygen during the feeding.
C. Measure the stomach aspirate prior to the feeding.
D. Place the newborn on her left side for 30 min after the feeding.
Answer: C. Measure the stomach aspirate prior to the feeding.
35. A nurse is providing education to a client who is experiencing dumping syndrome
following gastric surgery. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. I should drink additional fluids with my meals.
B. I should eat high-fiber snacks between meals.
C. I should eat a protein source with each meal.
D. I can have caffeinated beverages in small amounts.
Answer: C. I should eat a protein source with each meal.
36. A nurse is initiating continuous enteral feedings for a client who has a new gastrostomy
tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Measure the client’s gastric residual every 12 hr.
B. Obtain the client’s electrolyte levels every 4 hr.
C. Keep the client’s head elevated at 15 during feedings.
D. Flush the client’s tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hr.
Answer: D. Flush the client’s tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hr.
37. A nurse is teaching an in-service about manifestations of hypoglycemia to a group of
newly licensed nurses. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Blurred vision
B. Vomiting
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A. Blurred vision
38. A nurse is assessing a client who has a stage III pressure ulcer that is healing poorly.
The nurse should identify that which of the following vitamin deficiencies increases the
client’s risk for delayed wound healing?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin B6
Answer: A. Vitamin C
39. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Albumin in my urine is an indication of normal kidney function.
B. I will keep my HbA1c at five percent.
C. I will have ketones in my urine if my blood glucose is maintained at 190 milligrams per
deciliter.
D. I will keep my blood glucose levels between 200 and 212 milligrams per deciliter.
Answer: B. I will keep my HbA1c at five percent.
40. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving parenteral nutrition. Which of the
following findings indicates the therapy is effective?
A. Client has soft, formed bowel movements.
B. Client’s mucous membranes are pink.
C. Client reports ability to complete ADLs.
D. Client’s blood glucose level is within the expected reference range.
Answer: A. Client has soft, formed bowel movements.
41. A nurse is teaching a client about dietary changes needed for weight loss. Which of the
following actions should the nurse perform first?
A. Educate the client about daily caloric requirements.
B. Determine the client’s daily caloric intake.
C. Provide the client with meal planning information.
D. Show the client how to identify the fat content of packaged foods.
Answer: B. Determine the client’s daily caloric intake.
42. A nurse is teaching a group of clients about stress. Which of the following should the
nurse include in the teaching?
A. Protein requirements decrease in times of stress.
B. Acute stress causes an increase in metabolism.
C. Stress causes a positive nitrogen balance in the body.
D. Glucose is broken down more slowly during times of stress.
Answer: B. Acute stress causes an increase in metabolism.
43. A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record for a client who is 2 days
postoperative following abdominal surgery. They nurse should recognize that which of the
following medications places the client at risk for wound dehiscence?
A. Omeprazole
B. Zolmitriptan
C. Prednisone
D. Verapamil
Answer: C. Prednisone
44. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who reports difficulty chewing due to ill-fitting
dentures. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend for the client?
A. Dried fruit
B. Roast beef
C. Tuna fish
D. Apple slices
Answer: C. Tuna fish
45. A nurse is planning care for a client who reports increasing difficulty swallowing food.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to take?
A. Turn on the client’s television during meals.
B. Place the client into a semi-reclining position for meals.
C. Encourage the client to rest prior to mealtimes.
D. Encourage the client to use a straw when drinking liquids.
Answer: C. Encourage the client to rest prior to mealtimes.
46. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous enteral tube feeding and
reports cramping and abdominal distention. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Check for gastric residual.
B. Apply low intermittent suction.
C. Increase the rate of the feeding.
D. Request of higher-fat formula.
Answer: A. Check for gastric residual.
47. 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. Hgb 15 g/dL
C. Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: A. BUN 8 mg/dL
48. A nurse is preparing to remove a client’s clogged NG tube prior to re-inserting a new
tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Assist the client to blow her nose.
B. Ask the client to take a deep breath and hold it.
C. Pinch the proximal end of the tube.
D. Disconnect the tube from suction source.
Answer: D. Disconnect the tube from suction source.
49. A nurse is teaching a parent about appropriate snack choices for her 9-month-old infant.
Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend?
A. Skim milk
B. Unsalted popcorn
C. Graham crackers
D. Raw carrots
Answer: C. Graham crackers
50. A nurse is caring for a client who is lactose intolerant. Which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse assess be?
A. Fever
B. Blood stools
C. Cramping
D. Steatorrhea
Answer: C. Cramping
51. A nurse is planning care for a client who reports following Seventh-Day Adventist
dietary laws. Which of the following dietary guidelines should the nurse include in the plan
of care?
A. Replace salt with pepper when seasoning water.
B. Request that coffee is removed from meal trays.
C. Offer pork with two meals per week.
D. Provide a high-protein snack between meals.
Answer: B. Request that coffee is removed from meal trays.
52. 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 clients findings indicate a deficiency in which
of the following sources of nutrition?
A. Iron
B. Omega 3 fatty acids
C. Vitamin C
D. Calcium
Answer: D. Calcium
53. A nurse is teaching a nutrition class for clients who have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which
of the following statements should the nurse include about management of acute illness?
A. Consume carbs every 3-4 hrs
B. Decrease fluid intake to 1000 mL per day
C. Monitor blood glucose twice per day
D. Check urine for ketones every 24 hrs
Answer: A. Consume carbs every 3-4 hrs
54. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking antibiotics and develops diarrhea. Which of
the following foods should the nurse recommend to include in the client’s diet?
A. Whole wheat bread
B. Fresh orange sections
C. Ice cream
D. Yogurt
Answer: D. Yogurt
55. A nurse is teaching a group of clients who are at risk for heart disease decreasing
saturated fats in their diet. Which of the ff fats should the nurse rec the clients use when
cooking?
A. Palm oil
B. Peanut oil
C. Canola oil
D. Stick margarine
Answer: C. Canola oil
56. A nurse is caring for a client who has a small-bore jejunostomy and is receiving a
continuous tube feeding with a high-viscosity formula. Which of the ff actions should the
nurse take to prevent the tubing from clogging?
A. Replace the bag and tubing every 24 hr
B. Flush the tubing with 10 mL water every 6 hr
C. Admin the feeding by gravity drip
D. Heat the formula prior to infusion
Answer: A. Replace the bag and tubing every 24 hr
57. A nurse is teaching about diet modification to a client who is breastfeeding. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I should drink an 8 ounce glass of water each time my baby nurses.
B. I should take a 1500 milligram iron supplement daily.
C. I can eat a 2500 calorie daily diet lose 1 lb per week.
D. I can eat ounces of swordfish daily.
Answer: A. I should drink an 8 ounce glass of water each time my baby nurses.
58. A nurse is teaching a parent about recommended protein intake for a toddler. The nurse
should identify that which of the following food selections is equivalent to 1 oz of protein?
A. 2 tbsp peanut butter
B. ½ cup peas
C. 1 slice of bread
D. 1 scrambled egg
Answer: D. 1 scrambled egg
59. A nurse is on med-surg unit caring for a client who follows the dietary laws of Orthodox
Judaism. Which of the following menu selections should the nurse recommendation for this
client?
A. Fried catfish
B. Broiled shrimp
C. Pork sausage
D. Grilled vegetables
Answer: D. Grilled vegetables
60. A nurse is caring for a client who has stomatitis following radiation treatment. Which
of the following is an appropriate interventions for the nurse to take?
A. Serve foods without sauces or gravies
B. Offer mouth rinses with normal saline & water
C. Serve foods while still at a hot temperature
D. Instruct the client to drink liquids without a straw
Answer: B. Offer mouth rinses with normal saline & water
61. A nurse is reviewing the lab findings of a client who has Clostridium Difficile. Which
of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing Fluid
Volume Deficit?
A. Hct 53%
B. Potassium 3.5
C. Sodium 145
D. HbA1c 5
Answer: A. Hct 53%
62. A nurse is teaching about nutrition to a client who has a new diagnosis of chronic kidney
disease. Which of the following recommend should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Increase phosphorus intake
B. Limit calcium intake
C. Limit protein intake
D. Increase potassium intake
Answer: B. Limit calcium intake
63. A nurse is caring for a client a major burn injury and is receiving TPN. Which of the
following lab tests is the priority for the nurse to use to confirm the client is receiving
adequate nutrition?
A. Iron
B. Magnesium
C. Folic acid
D. Prealbumin
Answer: D. Prealbumin
64. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension about a heart healthy diet which of
the following statements indicates that the client understands the teaching?
A. I will get 15% of my total daily calories from saturated fats.
B. I will decrease the potassium in my diet.
C. I will limit my daily sodium intake to 3 grams.
D. I will eat five 8-ounce servings of fruit daily.
Answer: D. I will eat five 8-ounce servings of fruit daily.
65. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client who has bulimia nervosa. The nurse
should notify the provider of which of the following results?
A. White Blood Cells 5,200/mm3
B. Hemoglobin 14
C. Magnesium 1.6
D. Potassium 3.2
Answer: D. Potassium 3.2
66. A nurse is teaching a client ways to manage anorexia while receiving radiation therapy.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Limit high kilo-calorie supplements to between meals
B. Avoid overeating during your “good” days
C. Eat hot foods rather than cold foods
D. Consume nutrient-dense foods first
Answer: D. Consume nutrient-dense foods first
67. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to client who has Phenylketonuria (PKU)
and planning a pregnancy. Which of the following information should the nurse include in
the discussion?
A. Diet sodas should not be consumed more than two or three times per week.
B. Serum bilirubin should be monitored one or two times per month during pregnancy
C. Breastfeeding will prevent your baby from developing PKU.
D. A low-protein diet should be followed for three months prior to conception.
Answer: D. A low-protein diet should be followed for three months prior to conception.
68. A nurse is planning care for a client who practices Islam and is currently observing
dietary restrictions for the month of Ramadan. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Remove beef products from the dietary plan
B. Facilitate fasting during daylight hours
C. Serve meat and dairy items separately
D. Provide a strictly vegetarian diet on Fridays
Answer: B. Facilitate fasting during daylight hours
69. A nurse is reviewing blood glucose values for a client who is at risk for Diabetes
Mellitus. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. 2 hr glucose tolerance test level 150 mg/dL
B. Fasting blood glucose 70 mg
C. Glycosylated hemoglobin 5%
D. Casual blood glucose 90 mg/Dl
Answer: A. 2 hr glucose tolerance test level 150 mg/dL
70. A nurse is planning care for a toddler who has burns over 50% total body surface area.
Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Administer enteral feedings
B. Limit intake of vitamin C
C. Limit dietary protein
D. Administer insulin prior to meals
Answer: A. Administer enteral feedings
