WGU D440 HESI Nutrition Objective Assessment Exam Prep … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
WGU D440 HESI Nutrition Objective Assessment
Exam Prep 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,WGU D440 HESI Nutrition Objective Assessment Exam Prep … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which of the following macronutrients provides the highest amount of energy per gram?
A. Carbohydrates
B. Proteins
C. Fats
D. Alcohol
Answer: C
Rationale: Fats provide 9 kcal per gram, whereas carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 kcal per gram, and
alcohol provides 7 kcal per gram. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. A client has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28. How should the nurse classify this weight
status?
A. Underweight
B. Overweight
C. Normal weight
D. Obese
Answer: B
Rationale: A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is classified as overweight. 18.5-24.9 is normal, and 30 or above is
obese. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding
both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. Which vitamin is essential for the absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin E
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and maintains adequate serum calcium and
phosphate concentrations. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this
principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, WGU D440 HESI Nutrition Objective Assessment Exam Prep … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which of the following is a primary function of carbohydrates in the human body?
A. Building muscle tissue
B. Providing a primary source of energy
C. Acting as a solvent for fat-soluble vitamins
D. Synthesizing hormones
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred and primary source of energy, especially for the brain and
nervous system. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. Which condition is characterized by a deficiency of Vitamin C, leading to swollen gums and
Petechiae?
A. Scurvy
B. Rickets
C. Pellagra
D. Beriberi
Answer: A
Rationale: Scurvy is caused by a severe Vitamin C deficiency, affecting collagen synthesis and leading to
bleeding gums and poor wound healing. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
6. A nurse is educating a pregnant client about preventing neural tube defects. Which
supplement is most important?
A. Folic Acid
B. Calcium
C. Iron
D. Vitamin B12
Answer: A
Rationale: Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is critical during the early stages of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects
like spina bifida. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
WGU D440 HESI Nutrition Objective Assessment
Exam Prep 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,WGU D440 HESI Nutrition Objective Assessment Exam Prep … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which of the following macronutrients provides the highest amount of energy per gram?
A. Carbohydrates
B. Proteins
C. Fats
D. Alcohol
Answer: C
Rationale: Fats provide 9 kcal per gram, whereas carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 kcal per gram, and
alcohol provides 7 kcal per gram. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. A client has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28. How should the nurse classify this weight
status?
A. Underweight
B. Overweight
C. Normal weight
D. Obese
Answer: B
Rationale: A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is classified as overweight. 18.5-24.9 is normal, and 30 or above is
obese. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding
both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. Which vitamin is essential for the absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin E
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and maintains adequate serum calcium and
phosphate concentrations. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this
principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, WGU D440 HESI Nutrition Objective Assessment Exam Prep … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which of the following is a primary function of carbohydrates in the human body?
A. Building muscle tissue
B. Providing a primary source of energy
C. Acting as a solvent for fat-soluble vitamins
D. Synthesizing hormones
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred and primary source of energy, especially for the brain and
nervous system. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. Which condition is characterized by a deficiency of Vitamin C, leading to swollen gums and
Petechiae?
A. Scurvy
B. Rickets
C. Pellagra
D. Beriberi
Answer: A
Rationale: Scurvy is caused by a severe Vitamin C deficiency, affecting collagen synthesis and leading to
bleeding gums and poor wound healing. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
6. A nurse is educating a pregnant client about preventing neural tube defects. Which
supplement is most important?
A. Folic Acid
B. Calcium
C. Iron
D. Vitamin B12
Answer: A
Rationale: Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is critical during the early stages of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects
like spina bifida. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
