ATI RN NUTRITION EXAM QUESTIONS
AND EXPLAINED ANSWERS 2024
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. Raw carrots
B. Unsalted popcorn
C. Skim milk
D. Graham crackers
RATIONALES
Choice A reason: Raw carrots are not a good choice for a 9-month-old infant because they are
also a choking hazard. Raw carrots are hard and crunchy, which can be difficult for the infant to
chew and swallow. Raw carrots should be cooked until soft and cut into small pieces before
offering to the infant.
Choice B reason: Unsalted popcorn is not a good choice for a 9-month-old infant because it
poses a choking hazard. Popcorn is hard, dry, and irregularly shaped, which can easily get stuck
in the infant's throat or airway. Popcorn should be avoided until the child is at least 4 years old.
Choice C reason: Skim milk is not a good choice for a 9-month-old infant because it does not
provide enough fat and calories for their growth and development. Infants should drink breast
milk or formula until they are at least 12 months old.
Choice D reason: Graham crackers are a good choice for a 9-month-old infant because they
are soft, easy to chew, and provide carbohydrates and iron for their energy and growth. Graham
crackers can be broken into small pieces and given to the infant as finger food.
A nurse is providing teaching about blood pressure measurement to a client who
has hypertension. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Use an electronic device.
B. Inflate the cuff to 140/90 mmHg.
C. Place the cuff on the upper arm.
D. Measure blood pressure after exercise.
RATIONALES
Choice A reason: Using an electronic device is not a reliable method for measuring blood
pressure because it may give inaccurate readings due to movement, noise, or battery issues. An
electronic device should be calibrated regularly and compared with a manual device.
Choice B reason: Inflating the cuff to 140/90 mmHg is not a correct procedure for measuring
blood pressure because it may cause discomfort and false readings. The cuff should be inflated
to about 20 to 30 mmHg above the expected systolic pressure or until the pulse disappears.
,Choice C reason: Placing the cuff on the upper arm is a correct procedure for measuring blood
pressure because it ensures that the cuff is at the same level as the heart and that the brachial
artery is compressed. The cuff should be snug and fit around 80% of the arm circumference.
Choice D reason: Measuring blood pressure after exercise is not a good time for measuring
blood pressure because it may reflect a temporary increase due to physical activity. Blood
pressure should be measured after resting for at least 5 minutes in a quiet and comfortable
environment.
A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes mellitus and reports feeling dizzy
and weak. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Check blood glucose level.
B. Give insulin injection.
C. Offer orange juice.
D. Apply cold compress.
RATIONALES
Choice A reason: Checking blood glucose level is an appropriate action for the nurse to take
because it can help determine if the client has hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, which are both
complications of diabetes mellitus that can cause dizziness and weakness. Blood glucose level
should be checked using a glucometer and compared with the normal range of 70 to 130 mg/dL
before meals and less than 180 mg/dL after meals.
Choice B reason: Giving insulin injection is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take
without checking blood glucose level first because it may cause hypoglycemia, which is a
condition in which blood glucose level drops below 70 mg/dL and can cause dizziness,
weakness, confusion, sweating, and seizures. Insulin injection should be given according to the
prescribed dose, type, and schedule.
Choice C reason: Offering orange juice is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take
without checking blood glucose level first because it may cause hyperglycemia, which is a
condition in which blood glucose level rises above 180 mg/dL and can cause dizziness,
weakness, thirst, polyuria, and ketoacidosis. Orange juice should be offered only if the client has
hypoglycemia and is conscious and able to swallow.
Choice D reason: Applying cold compress is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take
because it does not address the underlying cause of dizziness and weakness in a client who has
diabetes mellitus. Cold compress may worsen the symptoms by reducing blood flow and oxygen
delivery to the brain. Cold compress should be applied only if the client has fever, inflammation,
or pain.
A nurse is teaching a client who has difficulty chewing due to ill-fitting dentures.
Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend for the client?
A. Scrambled eggs
B. Tuna fish
C. Roast beef
D. Apple slices
RATIONALES
,Choice A reason: Scrambled eggs are a good food choice for a client who has difficulty
chewing due to ill-fitting dentures because they are soft, moist, and easy to swallow. Scrambled
eggs also provide protein, iron, and vitamin B12 for the client.
Choice B reason: Tuna fish is not a good food choice for a client who has difficulty chewing
due to ill-fitting dentures because it may contain bones, skin, or scales that can cause discomfort
or injury to the gums or mouth. Tuna fish should be avoided or checked for bones and skin
before consuming.
Choice C reason: Roast beef is not a good food choice for a client who has difficulty chewing
due to ill-fitting dentures because it is tough, dry, and hard to chew. Roast beef can cause pain,
fatigue, or choking for the client who has ill-fitting dentures. Roast beef should be avoided or cut
into very small pieces and moistened with gravy or sauce before consuming.
Choice D reason: Apple slices are not a good food choice for a client who has difficulty
chewing due to ill-fitting dentures because they are crisp, firm, and sticky. Apple slices can
dislodge or damage the dentures or cause irritation or infection to the gums or mouth. Apple
slices should be avoided or cooked until soft and mashed before consuming.
Choice E reason: Dried fruit is not a good food choice for a client who has difficulty chewing
due to ill-fitting dentures because they are chewy, sticky, and sugary. Dried fruit can adhere to
the dentures or teeth and cause dental caries or gum disease. Dried fruit should be avoided or
soaked in water until soft and cut into small pieces before consuming.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who reports difficulty chewing due to
missing teeth. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend for the
client?
A. Tuna fish
B. Roast beef
C. Apple slices
D. Dried fruit
RATIONALES
Choice A reason: Tuna fish is a good food choice for an older adult client who has difficulty
chewing due to missing teeth because it is soft, moist, and easy to swallow. Tuna fish also
provides protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D for the client.
Choice B reason: Roast beef is not a good food choice for an older adult client who has
difficulty chewing due to missing teeth because it is tough, dry, and hard to chew. Roast beef can
cause pain, fatigue, or choking for the client who has missing teeth. Roast beef should be
avoided or cut into very small pieces and moistened with gravy or sauce before consuming.
Choice C reason: Apple slices are not a good food choice for an older adult client who has
difficulty chewing due to missing teeth because they are crisp, firm, and sticky. Apple slices can
cause irritation or injury to the gums or mouth or dislodge any remaining teeth. Apple slices
should be avoided or cooked until soft and mashed before consuming.
Choice D reason: Dried fruit is not a good food choice for an older adult client who has
difficulty chewing due to missing teeth because they are chewy, sticky, and sugary. Dried fruit
can adhere to the gums or teeth and cause dental caries or gum disease. Dried fruit should be
avoided or soaked in water until soft and cut into small pieces before consuming.
, A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and has gained 2 kg (4.4 lB. over
the last 24 hours. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take?
A. Reduce the client's sodium intake.
B. Restrict the client's protein intake.
C. Weigh the client once per week.
D. Provide the client with three large meals per day.
RATIONALES
Choice A reason: Reducing the client's sodium intake is an appropriate intervention for the
nurse to take because it can help prevent fluid retention and edema, which are complications of
heart failure. Sodium intake should be limited to 2 g per day or less for clients who have heart
failure.
Choice B reason: Restricting the client's protein intake is not an appropriate intervention for
the nurse to take because it can cause malnutrition and muscle wasting, which can worsen heart
failure. Protein intake should be adequate to meet the client's nutritional needs and support
cardiac function. Protein intake should be about 0.8 to 1.2 g per kg of body weight per day for
clients who have heart failure.
Choice C reason: Weighing the client once per week is not an appropriate intervention for the
nurse to take because it can delay the detection and treatment of fluid overload, which can
worsen heart failure. The client should be weighed daily at the same time and with the same
scale and clothing to monitor fluid status and adjust medication dosage.
Choice D reason: Providing the client with three large meals per day is not an appropriate
intervention for the nurse to take because it can increase the workload of the heart and cause
dyspnea, fatigue, or chest pain, which are symptoms of heart failure. The client should be
provided with small, frequent meals that are low in sodium, fat, and cholesterol to reduce
cardiac stress and promote digestion.
A nurse is caring for a client who has nausea following radiation therapy. Which of
the following interventions is appropriate for the nurse to take?
A. Offer the client frozen banana as a snack.
B. Serve the client hot meals.
C. Avoid serving sauces or gravies.
D. Discourage the use of a straw.
RATIONALES
Choice A reason: Offering the client frozen banana as a snack is an appropriate intervention
for the nurse to take because it can help reduce nausea and stimulate appetite. Frozen banana is
cold, bland, and easy to digest, which are characteristics of antiemetic foods. Frozen banana also
provides potassium, vitamin C, and fiber for the client.
Choice B reason: Serving the client hot meals is not an appropriate intervention for the nurse
to take because it can worsen nausea and vomiting. Hot meals are aromatic, spicy, and greasy,
which are characteristics of emetic foods. Hot meals can also irritate the stomach lining and
trigger the gag reflex.
Choice C reason: Avoiding serving sauces or gravies is not an appropriate intervention for the
nurse to take because it can cause dehydration and malnutrition. Sauces and gravies are liquid,
