BASIC NUTRITION EXAM (LATEST EXAM 2026) –
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
1. Which of the following is the primary function of carbohydrates in the human
diet?
A. Building and repairing muscle tissue
B. Providing the main source of energy for the body
C. Insulating and protecting vital organs
D. Facilitating the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
🟢 B. Providing the main source of energy for the body
🔴 Explanation: Carbohydrates are the body's preferred and most readily available source
of energy. They are broken down into glucose, which is used for cellular respiration to
produce ATP. Proteins are primarily for tissue building, fats provide insulation and energy
storage, and while some fat is needed for vitamin absorption, it is not the primary function
of carbohydrates.
2. A client is prescribed a thiazide diuretic for hypertension. Which of the
following mineral deficiencies is a potential long-term side effect of this
medication?
A. Iron
B. Magnesium
C. Potassium
D. Zinc
🟢 C. Potassium
🔴 Explanation: Thiazide diuretics increase the excretion of potassium in the urine, which
can lead to hypokalemia. While they can also affect magnesium, the most clinically
significant and common deficiency is potassium. Iron and zinc are not typically directly
impacted by this class of diuretics.
3. A food label states that a product provides 20% of the Daily Value for calcium.
According to FDA guidelines, this would be considered a:
A. Low source of calcium
B. Good source of calcium
C. High source of calcium
D. Excellent source of calcium
🟢 C. High source of calcium
🔴 Explanation: According to FDA labeling guidelines, a food that provides 20% or more of
,the Daily Value for a nutrient is considered a "high" source. A "good" source is 10-19%,
and a "low" source is 5% or less. "Excellent" is a term that can be used synonymously with
"high."
4. Which of the following vitamins is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to
ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
🟢 C. Vitamin D
🔴 Explanation: Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) is synthesized in the skin from 7-
dehydrocholesterol when exposed to UVB radiation from sunlight. This is a primary source
of vitamin D for many people. Vitamins A, C, and K must be obtained from dietary
sources.
5. A patient with celiac disease must strictly avoid which of the following grains?
A. Rice
B. Corn
C. Oats
D. Wheat
🟢 D. Wheat
🔴 Explanation: Wheat, barley, and rye contain gluten, a protein that triggers an
autoimmune response in individuals with celiac disease. Rice, corn, and pure
(uncontaminated) oats are generally considered safe for a gluten-free diet.
6. In nutritional assessment, the term "anthropometric" refers to:
A. Laboratory analysis of blood and urine
B. Clinical observation of physical signs
C. Measurements of body size, weight, and proportions
D. Evaluation of dietary intake and habits
🟢 C. Measurements of body size, weight, and proportions
🔴 Explanation: Anthropometric measurements are a key component of nutritional
assessment and include objective measurements such as height, weight, body mass index
(BMI), skinfold thickness, and circumferences. Laboratory tests are biochemical
assessments, clinical observation is a physical exam, and dietary intake is a dietary
assessment.
7. The primary function of Vitamin K in the body is:
A. Calcium absorption
B. Blood coagulation
, C. Antioxidant defense
D. Vision in dim light
🟢 B. Blood coagulation
🔴 Explanation: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of several proteins required for
blood clotting, including prothrombin. Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption, Vitamin
C and E are key antioxidants, and Vitamin A is vital for vision.
8. Which of the following is a complete protein source?
A. Black beans
B. Brown rice
C. Tofu
D. Sunflower seeds
🟢 C. Tofu
🔴 Explanation: A complete protein contains all nine essential amino acids in sufficient
amounts. Soy products like tofu are complete proteins. Plant-based proteins like beans,
rice, and seeds are often incomplete, meaning they are deficient in one or more essential
amino acids.
9. A patient's serum albumin level is 2.8 g/dL. This finding is indicative of:
A. Excellent nutritional status
B. Possible protein-energy malnutrition
C. Iron deficiency
D. Hyperlipidemia
🟢 B. Possible protein-energy malnutrition
🔴 Explanation: Serum albumin is a visceral protein and is considered a sensitive indicator
of protein status. A low albumin level (normal is typically 3.5-5.0 g/dL) suggests protein-
energy malnutrition or chronic illness. It is not directly indicative of iron or lipid status.
10. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that added sugars make up
no more than what percentage of total daily calories?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 20%
🟢 B. 10%
🔴 Explanation: The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise that added sugars
should be limited to less than 10% of total daily calories. This is a key recommendation for
reducing the risk of chronic disease.
11. A client is following a vegan diet. Which nutrient would be of greatest concern
for potential deficiency?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
1. Which of the following is the primary function of carbohydrates in the human
diet?
A. Building and repairing muscle tissue
B. Providing the main source of energy for the body
C. Insulating and protecting vital organs
D. Facilitating the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
🟢 B. Providing the main source of energy for the body
🔴 Explanation: Carbohydrates are the body's preferred and most readily available source
of energy. They are broken down into glucose, which is used for cellular respiration to
produce ATP. Proteins are primarily for tissue building, fats provide insulation and energy
storage, and while some fat is needed for vitamin absorption, it is not the primary function
of carbohydrates.
2. A client is prescribed a thiazide diuretic for hypertension. Which of the
following mineral deficiencies is a potential long-term side effect of this
medication?
A. Iron
B. Magnesium
C. Potassium
D. Zinc
🟢 C. Potassium
🔴 Explanation: Thiazide diuretics increase the excretion of potassium in the urine, which
can lead to hypokalemia. While they can also affect magnesium, the most clinically
significant and common deficiency is potassium. Iron and zinc are not typically directly
impacted by this class of diuretics.
3. A food label states that a product provides 20% of the Daily Value for calcium.
According to FDA guidelines, this would be considered a:
A. Low source of calcium
B. Good source of calcium
C. High source of calcium
D. Excellent source of calcium
🟢 C. High source of calcium
🔴 Explanation: According to FDA labeling guidelines, a food that provides 20% or more of
,the Daily Value for a nutrient is considered a "high" source. A "good" source is 10-19%,
and a "low" source is 5% or less. "Excellent" is a term that can be used synonymously with
"high."
4. Which of the following vitamins is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to
ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
🟢 C. Vitamin D
🔴 Explanation: Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) is synthesized in the skin from 7-
dehydrocholesterol when exposed to UVB radiation from sunlight. This is a primary source
of vitamin D for many people. Vitamins A, C, and K must be obtained from dietary
sources.
5. A patient with celiac disease must strictly avoid which of the following grains?
A. Rice
B. Corn
C. Oats
D. Wheat
🟢 D. Wheat
🔴 Explanation: Wheat, barley, and rye contain gluten, a protein that triggers an
autoimmune response in individuals with celiac disease. Rice, corn, and pure
(uncontaminated) oats are generally considered safe for a gluten-free diet.
6. In nutritional assessment, the term "anthropometric" refers to:
A. Laboratory analysis of blood and urine
B. Clinical observation of physical signs
C. Measurements of body size, weight, and proportions
D. Evaluation of dietary intake and habits
🟢 C. Measurements of body size, weight, and proportions
🔴 Explanation: Anthropometric measurements are a key component of nutritional
assessment and include objective measurements such as height, weight, body mass index
(BMI), skinfold thickness, and circumferences. Laboratory tests are biochemical
assessments, clinical observation is a physical exam, and dietary intake is a dietary
assessment.
7. The primary function of Vitamin K in the body is:
A. Calcium absorption
B. Blood coagulation
, C. Antioxidant defense
D. Vision in dim light
🟢 B. Blood coagulation
🔴 Explanation: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of several proteins required for
blood clotting, including prothrombin. Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption, Vitamin
C and E are key antioxidants, and Vitamin A is vital for vision.
8. Which of the following is a complete protein source?
A. Black beans
B. Brown rice
C. Tofu
D. Sunflower seeds
🟢 C. Tofu
🔴 Explanation: A complete protein contains all nine essential amino acids in sufficient
amounts. Soy products like tofu are complete proteins. Plant-based proteins like beans,
rice, and seeds are often incomplete, meaning they are deficient in one or more essential
amino acids.
9. A patient's serum albumin level is 2.8 g/dL. This finding is indicative of:
A. Excellent nutritional status
B. Possible protein-energy malnutrition
C. Iron deficiency
D. Hyperlipidemia
🟢 B. Possible protein-energy malnutrition
🔴 Explanation: Serum albumin is a visceral protein and is considered a sensitive indicator
of protein status. A low albumin level (normal is typically 3.5-5.0 g/dL) suggests protein-
energy malnutrition or chronic illness. It is not directly indicative of iron or lipid status.
10. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that added sugars make up
no more than what percentage of total daily calories?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 20%
🟢 B. 10%
🔴 Explanation: The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise that added sugars
should be limited to less than 10% of total daily calories. This is a key recommendation for
reducing the risk of chronic disease.
11. A client is following a vegan diet. Which nutrient would be of greatest concern
for potential deficiency?
