WGU D440 Nutrition Practice Exam 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
WGU D440 Nutrition Practice Exam 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 Nutrition Practice Exam 2026 UPDATE 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 calories per gram, while carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 calories per gram, and
alcohol provides 7 calories 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 patient is looking to increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Which food should they
prioritize?
A. Chicken breast
B. Salmon
C. White bread
D. Coconut oil
Answer: B
Rationale: Fatty fish like salmon are rich sources of EPA and DHA, which are types of omega-3 fatty acids
essential for heart and brain health. 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. What is the primary role of Vitamin K in the body?
A. Energy metabolism
B. Vision protection
C. Calcium absorption
D. Blood clotting
Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of proteins needed for blood coagulation; without it,
excessive bleeding can occur. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D)
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 Nutrition Practice Exam 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, what is the maximum recommended daily
intake of sodium for a healthy adult?
A. 2,300 mg
B. 1,500 mg
C. 3,000 mg
D. 5,000 mg
Answer: A
Rationale: The DGA recommends limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day to reduce the risk of
hypertension. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves
patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. Which vitamin deficiency is specifically associated with neural tube defects in newborns?
A. Folate (B9)
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
Answer: A
Rationale: Adequate folate intake before and during early pregnancy is crucial 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.
6. What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for a woman with a ‘Normal’ BMI
(18.5-24.9)?
A. 25-35 lbs
B. 15-25 lbs
C. 11-20 lbs
D. 35-45 lbs
Answer: A
Rationale: Women with a normal BMI are generally advised to gain between 25 and 35 pounds during
pregnancy for optimal fetal health. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
WGU D440 Nutrition Practice Exam 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 Nutrition Practice Exam 2026 UPDATE 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 calories per gram, while carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 calories per gram, and
alcohol provides 7 calories 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 patient is looking to increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Which food should they
prioritize?
A. Chicken breast
B. Salmon
C. White bread
D. Coconut oil
Answer: B
Rationale: Fatty fish like salmon are rich sources of EPA and DHA, which are types of omega-3 fatty acids
essential for heart and brain health. 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. What is the primary role of Vitamin K in the body?
A. Energy metabolism
B. Vision protection
C. Calcium absorption
D. Blood clotting
Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of proteins needed for blood coagulation; without it,
excessive bleeding can occur. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D)
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 Nutrition Practice Exam 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, what is the maximum recommended daily
intake of sodium for a healthy adult?
A. 2,300 mg
B. 1,500 mg
C. 3,000 mg
D. 5,000 mg
Answer: A
Rationale: The DGA recommends limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day to reduce the risk of
hypertension. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves
patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. Which vitamin deficiency is specifically associated with neural tube defects in newborns?
A. Folate (B9)
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
Answer: A
Rationale: Adequate folate intake before and during early pregnancy is crucial 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.
6. What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for a woman with a ‘Normal’ BMI
(18.5-24.9)?
A. 25-35 lbs
B. 15-25 lbs
C. 11-20 lbs
D. 35-45 lbs
Answer: A
Rationale: Women with a normal BMI are generally advised to gain between 25 and 35 pounds during
pregnancy for optimal fetal health. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
