WILLIAMS' BASIC NUTRITION AND DIET THERAPY, 16TH EDITION EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 65-year-old man requires 2000 kcal/day without any specific fat or carbohydrate restrictions. The
approximate number of kilocalories per day from fat that his diet should provide is:
A. 400 to 700
B. 100 to 300
C. 500 to 800
D. 900 to 1200
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for fat is 20% to 35% of total daily
calories. For a 2000-kcal diet, this equates to 400 to 700 kcal from fat (2000 x 0.20 = 400; 2000 x 0.35 = 700).
2. A patient requires a nutrition assessment. The most appropriate professional to perform this assessment is
a:
A. Physician
B. Nurse
,C. Public health nutritionist
D. Registered dietitian
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: The registered dietitian (RD) is the nutrition expert registered with the Commission on Dietetic
Registration. RDs are the only professionals who have met strict educational and professional prerequisites and
passed a national registration examination that properly prepares them to conduct a comprehensive nutrition
assessment.
3. The sum of all chemical changes that take place inside living cells to sustain life and health is:
A. Science
B. Digestion
C. Metabolism
D. Nutrition
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Metabolism is the sum of all chemical changes that take place in the body. It provides energy,
builds tissue, and regulates metabolic processes. Nutrition is the study of how food nourishes the body,
digestion is the breakdown of food, and science is a broad field of study.
4. The nutrients that provide the body with its primary source of fuel for energy are:
A. Vitamins
B. Minerals
C. Fiber
D. Carbohydrates
,🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Carbohydrates (e.g., starches and sugars) are the body's primary fuel source for carrying out
necessary processes. Fat is the secondary source of energy, while protein is used primarily for tissue building
and repair. Vitamins and minerals are regulatory nutrients.
5. The primary function of proteins is to:
A. Serve as the body's primary energy source
B. Provide building units for tissue repair and growth
C. Act as coenzyme factors during cell metabolism
D. Insulate and protect vital organs
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The primary function of proteins is to provide amino acids, which are the building units
necessary for building and repairing tissues. This is a constant process that ensures adequate growth and
maintenance of tissues. Carbohydrates and fats are the primary energy sources.
6. A patient's diet provides 2000 kcal/day with 60 g of protein. The percentage of protein calories is:
A. 8%
B. 12%
C. 16%
D. 20%
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Protein provides 4 kcal/g. Therefore, 60 g of protein provides 240 kcal (60 g × 4 kcal/g = 240
kcal). The percentage of total calories from protein is (240 kcal / 2000 kcal) × 100 = 12%.
, 7. The body's main storage form of carbohydrate is:
A. Glycogen
B. Glycerol
C. Glucagon
D. Glucose
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Glycogen is a polysaccharide that is the main storage form of carbohydrate in the human body.
It is mainly stored in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in muscle tissue. Glucose is the circulating form, glucagon
is a hormone, and glycerol is a component of fat.
8. A patient with type 2 diabetes should consume which type of carbohydrate to promote stable blood
glucose levels?
A. Simple sugars
B. Refined grains
C. Fiber-rich whole grains
D. Fruit juice
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Whole grains and fiber-rich foods have a lower glycemic index and are digested more slowly,
leading to a gradual rise in blood glucose. Simple sugars, refined grains, and fruit juice are absorbed quickly and
can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, which is undesirable for individuals with diabetes.
9. The number of kilocalories from fat in a sandwich that contains 22 g of fat is:
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 65-year-old man requires 2000 kcal/day without any specific fat or carbohydrate restrictions. The
approximate number of kilocalories per day from fat that his diet should provide is:
A. 400 to 700
B. 100 to 300
C. 500 to 800
D. 900 to 1200
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for fat is 20% to 35% of total daily
calories. For a 2000-kcal diet, this equates to 400 to 700 kcal from fat (2000 x 0.20 = 400; 2000 x 0.35 = 700).
2. A patient requires a nutrition assessment. The most appropriate professional to perform this assessment is
a:
A. Physician
B. Nurse
,C. Public health nutritionist
D. Registered dietitian
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: The registered dietitian (RD) is the nutrition expert registered with the Commission on Dietetic
Registration. RDs are the only professionals who have met strict educational and professional prerequisites and
passed a national registration examination that properly prepares them to conduct a comprehensive nutrition
assessment.
3. The sum of all chemical changes that take place inside living cells to sustain life and health is:
A. Science
B. Digestion
C. Metabolism
D. Nutrition
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Metabolism is the sum of all chemical changes that take place in the body. It provides energy,
builds tissue, and regulates metabolic processes. Nutrition is the study of how food nourishes the body,
digestion is the breakdown of food, and science is a broad field of study.
4. The nutrients that provide the body with its primary source of fuel for energy are:
A. Vitamins
B. Minerals
C. Fiber
D. Carbohydrates
,🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Carbohydrates (e.g., starches and sugars) are the body's primary fuel source for carrying out
necessary processes. Fat is the secondary source of energy, while protein is used primarily for tissue building
and repair. Vitamins and minerals are regulatory nutrients.
5. The primary function of proteins is to:
A. Serve as the body's primary energy source
B. Provide building units for tissue repair and growth
C. Act as coenzyme factors during cell metabolism
D. Insulate and protect vital organs
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The primary function of proteins is to provide amino acids, which are the building units
necessary for building and repairing tissues. This is a constant process that ensures adequate growth and
maintenance of tissues. Carbohydrates and fats are the primary energy sources.
6. A patient's diet provides 2000 kcal/day with 60 g of protein. The percentage of protein calories is:
A. 8%
B. 12%
C. 16%
D. 20%
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Protein provides 4 kcal/g. Therefore, 60 g of protein provides 240 kcal (60 g × 4 kcal/g = 240
kcal). The percentage of total calories from protein is (240 kcal / 2000 kcal) × 100 = 12%.
, 7. The body's main storage form of carbohydrate is:
A. Glycogen
B. Glycerol
C. Glucagon
D. Glucose
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Glycogen is a polysaccharide that is the main storage form of carbohydrate in the human body.
It is mainly stored in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in muscle tissue. Glucose is the circulating form, glucagon
is a hormone, and glycerol is a component of fat.
8. A patient with type 2 diabetes should consume which type of carbohydrate to promote stable blood
glucose levels?
A. Simple sugars
B. Refined grains
C. Fiber-rich whole grains
D. Fruit juice
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Whole grains and fiber-rich foods have a lower glycemic index and are digested more slowly,
leading to a gradual rise in blood glucose. Simple sugars, refined grains, and fruit juice are absorbed quickly and
can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, which is undesirable for individuals with diabetes.
9. The number of kilocalories from fat in a sandwich that contains 22 g of fat is:
