Page 1 of 228
NASM CNC Test Bank 2025/2026 with 850+ Fully Answered
Questions with Rationales for Certified Nutrition Coach
Students updated
a CNC can provide clients non-medical nutrition information & behavior change - Answer:true
every region requires that a nutrition coach work under the supervision of a registered dietitian -
Answer:false
the CNC can provide specific meal plans for clients - Answer:false
the CNC can recommend specific supplements - Answer:false
the CNC can offer advice on eating behaviors/macronutrients that are known to reduce risk of disease or
slow disease progression - Answer:true
a thorough assessment can help rule out any client who has issues beyond the scope of practice for the
CNC - Answer:true
the SCOFF questionnaire is a reliable assessment tool used to detect which of the following conditions? -
Answer:eating disorder
an unexplained surge in athletic performance is a reason for the CNC to refer their client to a registered
dietitian - Answer:false
a client who confides of suicidal thoughts should be referred to a psychologist - Answer:true
it is appropriate for the CNC to recommend an over the counter antacid when a client complains about
recent episodes of heart burn - Answer:false
,Page 2 of 228
when it comes to client confidentiality, all personal information should be kept in a locked/secure area -
Answer:true
if the CNC intends to work as an employee in a private health club, its important to consult with an
attorney & accountant to ensure proper business practices - Answer:true
when working with a client who has been complaining of low back pain that has been getting worse,
what is the most appropriate recommendation - Answer:refer to a chiropractor
common assessments performed by a CNC include height, weight, body composition & what other test?
- Answer:anthropometric measurements
where might a CNC find reputable information on recent dietary guidelines? - Answer:government
funded agencies
according to the SCOFF eating disorder assessment, what is the minimum number of positive answers
which might indicate an eating disorder? - Answer:2
a new client is 6 weeks post-partum. she states that she has very little energy & feels sadness most of
the time. what is the most appropriate course of action? - Answer:refer her to a clinical psychiatrist
which of the following can a CNC provide - Answer:nutritional advice & behavioral modification
a CNC has been working with an overweight client for 6 weeks. during the most recent weight-in, they
discover she lost 27 lbs. what is the best course of action? - Answer:informally question her about
common eating disorder traits/habits
which statement is within the scope of practice for a CNC? - Answer:recommend the client discuss
supplement usage & dosing with their pharmacist or physician
a client confides that she is taking laxatives to help her lose weight. what is the best course of action? -
Answer:refer to a certified eating disorder specialist
,Page 3 of 228
where should client files be kept to ensure client confidentiality? - Answer:in a locked & secure location
to ensure the client is retaining any shared information, its important that the content presented is
highly relevant and what other quality? - Answer:practical
to ensure the client is retaining any shared information, its important the content presented is
perceived to be important and what other quality? - Answer:based on prior experience
with which client would it be most appropriate for the CNC to work? - Answer:overweight client who
wants to train for a 10k
a new client just moved into the area. she states she occasionally suffers from anxiety & panic attacks
and needs to renew her prescription medication. which professional should you refer? -
Answer:psychiatrist
according to the scope of practice for a CNC, which is an example of an appropriate resource for
determining daily caloric intake? - Answer:dietary guidelines for americans
which statement best describes the healthcare continuum? - Answer:the many disciplines that make up
the healthcare system
with which client would it be most appropriate for the CNC.to work? - Answer:clients with inconsistent
weight loss and weight gain
one of the roles of a CNC is to help facilitate weight loss. which of the following would be most
appropriate to recommend for the overweight client? - Answer:refer to a CPT for a resistance training
program
a CNC is sitting down with a new client for her initial evaluation. she noted on her HHQ that she has
diabetes and she has trouble keeping her blood glucose controlled. what is the best course of action? -
Answer:refer her to a certified diabetes educator
, Page 4 of 228
any research article on diet and nutrition should be scrutinized for which of the following? -
Answer:reliability and validity
it is not uncommon for clients to confide in the CNC. which client conversation would be grounds for a
referral to a licensed healthcare professional? - Answer:daily panic attacks
during a regular meeting, a client is complaining of irregular gastrointestinal issues ranging from
diarrhea to constipation. what is the best course of action? - Answer:advise him to make an
appointment with his personal physician
identify the 3 components of evidence based practice - Answer:weight of evidence, field observations,
individual client needs/preferences
order the steps of the scientific method - Answer:identify a problem, form a hypothesis, design a
study/test method, collect data/synthesize/interpret, discard unsupported hypothesis/continue testing
scientists identify what is most likely to be true by demonstrating what is not true - Answer:true
a scientific theory is just a guess - Answer:false
which of the following ranks highest in terms of quality - Answer:randomized control trials (RCTs)
which of the following best describes an empirical scientific approach? - Answer:controlled observation
which of the following represents a weakness of observational studies? - Answer:correlation does not
equal causation
which of the following best represents a weakness of interventional designs? - Answer:small number of
subjects
which of the following is the best source of information? - Answer:peer reviewed scientific journals
NASM CNC Test Bank 2025/2026 with 850+ Fully Answered
Questions with Rationales for Certified Nutrition Coach
Students updated
a CNC can provide clients non-medical nutrition information & behavior change - Answer:true
every region requires that a nutrition coach work under the supervision of a registered dietitian -
Answer:false
the CNC can provide specific meal plans for clients - Answer:false
the CNC can recommend specific supplements - Answer:false
the CNC can offer advice on eating behaviors/macronutrients that are known to reduce risk of disease or
slow disease progression - Answer:true
a thorough assessment can help rule out any client who has issues beyond the scope of practice for the
CNC - Answer:true
the SCOFF questionnaire is a reliable assessment tool used to detect which of the following conditions? -
Answer:eating disorder
an unexplained surge in athletic performance is a reason for the CNC to refer their client to a registered
dietitian - Answer:false
a client who confides of suicidal thoughts should be referred to a psychologist - Answer:true
it is appropriate for the CNC to recommend an over the counter antacid when a client complains about
recent episodes of heart burn - Answer:false
,Page 2 of 228
when it comes to client confidentiality, all personal information should be kept in a locked/secure area -
Answer:true
if the CNC intends to work as an employee in a private health club, its important to consult with an
attorney & accountant to ensure proper business practices - Answer:true
when working with a client who has been complaining of low back pain that has been getting worse,
what is the most appropriate recommendation - Answer:refer to a chiropractor
common assessments performed by a CNC include height, weight, body composition & what other test?
- Answer:anthropometric measurements
where might a CNC find reputable information on recent dietary guidelines? - Answer:government
funded agencies
according to the SCOFF eating disorder assessment, what is the minimum number of positive answers
which might indicate an eating disorder? - Answer:2
a new client is 6 weeks post-partum. she states that she has very little energy & feels sadness most of
the time. what is the most appropriate course of action? - Answer:refer her to a clinical psychiatrist
which of the following can a CNC provide - Answer:nutritional advice & behavioral modification
a CNC has been working with an overweight client for 6 weeks. during the most recent weight-in, they
discover she lost 27 lbs. what is the best course of action? - Answer:informally question her about
common eating disorder traits/habits
which statement is within the scope of practice for a CNC? - Answer:recommend the client discuss
supplement usage & dosing with their pharmacist or physician
a client confides that she is taking laxatives to help her lose weight. what is the best course of action? -
Answer:refer to a certified eating disorder specialist
,Page 3 of 228
where should client files be kept to ensure client confidentiality? - Answer:in a locked & secure location
to ensure the client is retaining any shared information, its important that the content presented is
highly relevant and what other quality? - Answer:practical
to ensure the client is retaining any shared information, its important the content presented is
perceived to be important and what other quality? - Answer:based on prior experience
with which client would it be most appropriate for the CNC to work? - Answer:overweight client who
wants to train for a 10k
a new client just moved into the area. she states she occasionally suffers from anxiety & panic attacks
and needs to renew her prescription medication. which professional should you refer? -
Answer:psychiatrist
according to the scope of practice for a CNC, which is an example of an appropriate resource for
determining daily caloric intake? - Answer:dietary guidelines for americans
which statement best describes the healthcare continuum? - Answer:the many disciplines that make up
the healthcare system
with which client would it be most appropriate for the CNC.to work? - Answer:clients with inconsistent
weight loss and weight gain
one of the roles of a CNC is to help facilitate weight loss. which of the following would be most
appropriate to recommend for the overweight client? - Answer:refer to a CPT for a resistance training
program
a CNC is sitting down with a new client for her initial evaluation. she noted on her HHQ that she has
diabetes and she has trouble keeping her blood glucose controlled. what is the best course of action? -
Answer:refer her to a certified diabetes educator
, Page 4 of 228
any research article on diet and nutrition should be scrutinized for which of the following? -
Answer:reliability and validity
it is not uncommon for clients to confide in the CNC. which client conversation would be grounds for a
referral to a licensed healthcare professional? - Answer:daily panic attacks
during a regular meeting, a client is complaining of irregular gastrointestinal issues ranging from
diarrhea to constipation. what is the best course of action? - Answer:advise him to make an
appointment with his personal physician
identify the 3 components of evidence based practice - Answer:weight of evidence, field observations,
individual client needs/preferences
order the steps of the scientific method - Answer:identify a problem, form a hypothesis, design a
study/test method, collect data/synthesize/interpret, discard unsupported hypothesis/continue testing
scientists identify what is most likely to be true by demonstrating what is not true - Answer:true
a scientific theory is just a guess - Answer:false
which of the following ranks highest in terms of quality - Answer:randomized control trials (RCTs)
which of the following best describes an empirical scientific approach? - Answer:controlled observation
which of the following represents a weakness of observational studies? - Answer:correlation does not
equal causation
which of the following best represents a weakness of interventional designs? - Answer:small number of
subjects
which of the following is the best source of information? - Answer:peer reviewed scientific journals
