HESI NUTRITION PRACTICE EXAMINATION
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ A client arrives at the urgent care clinic reporting diarrhea, fever, abdominal
pain, and nausea and telling the registered nurse (RN) that the symptoms
began after eating a can of beans. The RN recognizes the client is exhibiting
symptoms of which type of foodborne illness?Clostridium
botulinum.Samonella typhi.Listeria monocytogenes.Campylobacter jejuni..
Answer: Clostridium botulinum.
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is instructing a client with acute cholecystitis
about dietary recommendations. Which food selection demonstrates to the
RN that the client understands dietary teaching?Chicken pot pie and
buttered rolls.Sautéed ground beef with mashed potatoes.Fried round steak
and macaroni with cheese..
Answer: Baked fish and tomatoes with lettuce.
◍ A client receives a prescription for psyllium for constipation. What
instruction should the registered nurse (RN) provide the client about taking
this supplement?
A. Take medication in the evening before bedtime to reduce fullness.
B. Take supplement with 240 ml of liquid and follow with a second glass.
C. Take supplement with hot beverages to help dissolve the powder
completely.
D. Mix supplement with pudding or applesauce to help hide the taste and
texture..
Answer: (B)Psylium is a bulk laxative and should be taken with a full glass
of fluids followed by another glass of fluids to be effective and decrease
chances of impaction . (A, C and D) increase risk for further constipation
, and possible impaction of the client.
◍ A registered nurse provides dietary instructions to a client who is prescribed
isocarboxazid for depression. Which statements made by the client indicates
a need for further education? Select all that apply..
Answer: limiting fish, limiting yogurt, and limiting beerIf a client is
unresponsive to other antipsychotic drugs, isocarboxazid (a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor) is used to treat depression. Clients taking isocarboxazid
should avoid foods high in tyramine and should limit the intake of foods that
contain a moderate amount of tyramine content because these foods may
cause a hypertensive crisis. Fish, yogurt, and major domestic beers are low
in tyramine content and should not be avoided as they generally do not
cause hypertensive crisis. Large amounts of bananas or chocolate should be
avoided as they can cause a reaction.
◍ A client with heart disease asks about cholesterol intake. When teaching the
client, the nurse will explain what about cholesterol?.
Answer: contributes to LDLCholesterol is a sterol found in tissue; it is
attributed in part to diets high in saturated fats and can be decreased with
unsaturated fats. Only animal foods furnish dietary cholesterol. Exercise, not
cholesterol, increases HDL levels and helps decrease the risk of heart
disease. Cholesterol is also produced by the body and is needed for the
synthesis of bile salts and adrenocortical and steroid sex hormones and it
should not be eliminated. Cholesterol contributes to heart disease but is not
the cause.
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is teaching a client who has mild hypertension
about nutritional options. Which instruction should the RN recommend the
client change in the daily diet?Avoid green leafy vegetables.Choose foods
with simple sugars.Limit foods high in fiber.Decrease intake of canned
foods..
Answer: Decrease intake of canned foods.
◍ A nurse instructs a client with viral hepatitis about the type of diet that
should be ingested. Which lunch selected by the client indicates
, understanding about dietary principles associated with this diagnosis?.
Answer: Salad, sliced chicken sandwich, gelatin dessertThe diet should be
high in carbohydrates, with moderate protein and fat content. A salad,
chicken and gelatin meal is the best choice. Turkey salad, french fries, and
sherbet are too high in fat. Cottage cheese, mixed fruit salad, and a
milkshake are dairy products and may cause lactose intolerance; the
hepatitis virus injures the intestinal mucosa and reduces the client's ability to
metabolize lactose. Cheeseburger, tortilla chips, and chocolate pudding are
too high in fat.
◍ Which food should be avoided by a client who is prescribed monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)?.
Answer: bolognaBologna has a high tyramine content; tyramine should not
be consumed by clients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
because the drug interaction may cause severe hypertension. Potatoes and
citrus fruits do not contain tyramine. Grapefruit juice may cause a negative
drug interaction in clients taking buspirone.
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client regarding the need to
increase vitamin B12 after undergoing a subtotal gastrectomy. Which foods
should the RN instruct the client to include in the diet?Cheese, eggs, and
fish.Lentils, dried fruits, and soybeans.Potatoes, mushrooms, and
yogurt.Nuts, brown rice, and sunflower seeds..
Answer: Cheese, eggs, and fish.
◍ getting rid of all cholesterol.
Answer: cell membraneCholesterol is an essential structural and functional
component of most cellular membranes. That it is associated with
atherosclerotic plaques does not detract from its essential functions.
Cholesterol is not necessary for blood clotting; calcium and vitamin K are
necessary. Cholesterol is not essential for bone formation; calcium,
phosphorus, and calciferol are necessary. Cholesterol is not involved in
muscle contraction; potassium, sodium, and calcium are necessary.
◍ When assessing the characteristics of an adolescent with anorexia nervosa,
, how does the nurse expect to describe the adolescent?.
Answer: PerfectionisticPerfectionistic standards and extremes of
self-discipline are an attempt to maintain control and meet the client's own
and others' expectations. People with anorexia nervosa are often anxious and
depressed, not manic. People with anorexia nervosa are frequently
compliant in an attempt to meet the expectations of others. People with
anorexia nervosa usually use excessive exercise routines as a means of
losing weight. Also, many are trying to become the thin, fit ideal woman
depicted in the media.
◍ The nurse assesses a client for the development of pernicious anemia after
reviewing the client's history. Which condition did the nurse most likely find
in the history?.
Answer: gastrectomyRemoval of the fundus of the stomach (gastrectomy)
destroys the parietal cells that secrete intrinsic factor (needed to combine
with vitamin B12 preliminary to its absorption in the ileum). Hemorrhaging
may cause anemia; however, pernicious anemia occurs when the intrinsic
factor is not produced. The beta cells of the pancreas are not involved in
secretion of intrinsic factor. Dietary intake does not affect the production of
intrinsic factor.
◍ cirrhosis of the liver.
Answer: pasta bananaA client with cirrhosis and ascites will require
moderate to low fat and low sodium (penne pasta, spinach, banana, and
decaffeinated iced tea). Caffeine can stimulate and cause distention. Ham,
cheese, whole milk, potato chips, baked lasagna with sausage, milkshake,
hamburger, french fries, and cola all have more fat and sodium than a client
with cirrhosis should consume.
◍ Which statement is true about the diet plan for toddlers?.
Answer: Milk should be supplemented with solid food items like vegetables
and fruits.In toddlers, the parents should be supplementing the child's intake
of milk with solid foods items, ensuring a balanced diet for adequate
growth. Serving finger foods to toddlers allows them to eat by themselves
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ A client arrives at the urgent care clinic reporting diarrhea, fever, abdominal
pain, and nausea and telling the registered nurse (RN) that the symptoms
began after eating a can of beans. The RN recognizes the client is exhibiting
symptoms of which type of foodborne illness?Clostridium
botulinum.Samonella typhi.Listeria monocytogenes.Campylobacter jejuni..
Answer: Clostridium botulinum.
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is instructing a client with acute cholecystitis
about dietary recommendations. Which food selection demonstrates to the
RN that the client understands dietary teaching?Chicken pot pie and
buttered rolls.Sautéed ground beef with mashed potatoes.Fried round steak
and macaroni with cheese..
Answer: Baked fish and tomatoes with lettuce.
◍ A client receives a prescription for psyllium for constipation. What
instruction should the registered nurse (RN) provide the client about taking
this supplement?
A. Take medication in the evening before bedtime to reduce fullness.
B. Take supplement with 240 ml of liquid and follow with a second glass.
C. Take supplement with hot beverages to help dissolve the powder
completely.
D. Mix supplement with pudding or applesauce to help hide the taste and
texture..
Answer: (B)Psylium is a bulk laxative and should be taken with a full glass
of fluids followed by another glass of fluids to be effective and decrease
chances of impaction . (A, C and D) increase risk for further constipation
, and possible impaction of the client.
◍ A registered nurse provides dietary instructions to a client who is prescribed
isocarboxazid for depression. Which statements made by the client indicates
a need for further education? Select all that apply..
Answer: limiting fish, limiting yogurt, and limiting beerIf a client is
unresponsive to other antipsychotic drugs, isocarboxazid (a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor) is used to treat depression. Clients taking isocarboxazid
should avoid foods high in tyramine and should limit the intake of foods that
contain a moderate amount of tyramine content because these foods may
cause a hypertensive crisis. Fish, yogurt, and major domestic beers are low
in tyramine content and should not be avoided as they generally do not
cause hypertensive crisis. Large amounts of bananas or chocolate should be
avoided as they can cause a reaction.
◍ A client with heart disease asks about cholesterol intake. When teaching the
client, the nurse will explain what about cholesterol?.
Answer: contributes to LDLCholesterol is a sterol found in tissue; it is
attributed in part to diets high in saturated fats and can be decreased with
unsaturated fats. Only animal foods furnish dietary cholesterol. Exercise, not
cholesterol, increases HDL levels and helps decrease the risk of heart
disease. Cholesterol is also produced by the body and is needed for the
synthesis of bile salts and adrenocortical and steroid sex hormones and it
should not be eliminated. Cholesterol contributes to heart disease but is not
the cause.
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is teaching a client who has mild hypertension
about nutritional options. Which instruction should the RN recommend the
client change in the daily diet?Avoid green leafy vegetables.Choose foods
with simple sugars.Limit foods high in fiber.Decrease intake of canned
foods..
Answer: Decrease intake of canned foods.
◍ A nurse instructs a client with viral hepatitis about the type of diet that
should be ingested. Which lunch selected by the client indicates
, understanding about dietary principles associated with this diagnosis?.
Answer: Salad, sliced chicken sandwich, gelatin dessertThe diet should be
high in carbohydrates, with moderate protein and fat content. A salad,
chicken and gelatin meal is the best choice. Turkey salad, french fries, and
sherbet are too high in fat. Cottage cheese, mixed fruit salad, and a
milkshake are dairy products and may cause lactose intolerance; the
hepatitis virus injures the intestinal mucosa and reduces the client's ability to
metabolize lactose. Cheeseburger, tortilla chips, and chocolate pudding are
too high in fat.
◍ Which food should be avoided by a client who is prescribed monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)?.
Answer: bolognaBologna has a high tyramine content; tyramine should not
be consumed by clients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
because the drug interaction may cause severe hypertension. Potatoes and
citrus fruits do not contain tyramine. Grapefruit juice may cause a negative
drug interaction in clients taking buspirone.
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client regarding the need to
increase vitamin B12 after undergoing a subtotal gastrectomy. Which foods
should the RN instruct the client to include in the diet?Cheese, eggs, and
fish.Lentils, dried fruits, and soybeans.Potatoes, mushrooms, and
yogurt.Nuts, brown rice, and sunflower seeds..
Answer: Cheese, eggs, and fish.
◍ getting rid of all cholesterol.
Answer: cell membraneCholesterol is an essential structural and functional
component of most cellular membranes. That it is associated with
atherosclerotic plaques does not detract from its essential functions.
Cholesterol is not necessary for blood clotting; calcium and vitamin K are
necessary. Cholesterol is not essential for bone formation; calcium,
phosphorus, and calciferol are necessary. Cholesterol is not involved in
muscle contraction; potassium, sodium, and calcium are necessary.
◍ When assessing the characteristics of an adolescent with anorexia nervosa,
, how does the nurse expect to describe the adolescent?.
Answer: PerfectionisticPerfectionistic standards and extremes of
self-discipline are an attempt to maintain control and meet the client's own
and others' expectations. People with anorexia nervosa are often anxious and
depressed, not manic. People with anorexia nervosa are frequently
compliant in an attempt to meet the expectations of others. People with
anorexia nervosa usually use excessive exercise routines as a means of
losing weight. Also, many are trying to become the thin, fit ideal woman
depicted in the media.
◍ The nurse assesses a client for the development of pernicious anemia after
reviewing the client's history. Which condition did the nurse most likely find
in the history?.
Answer: gastrectomyRemoval of the fundus of the stomach (gastrectomy)
destroys the parietal cells that secrete intrinsic factor (needed to combine
with vitamin B12 preliminary to its absorption in the ileum). Hemorrhaging
may cause anemia; however, pernicious anemia occurs when the intrinsic
factor is not produced. The beta cells of the pancreas are not involved in
secretion of intrinsic factor. Dietary intake does not affect the production of
intrinsic factor.
◍ cirrhosis of the liver.
Answer: pasta bananaA client with cirrhosis and ascites will require
moderate to low fat and low sodium (penne pasta, spinach, banana, and
decaffeinated iced tea). Caffeine can stimulate and cause distention. Ham,
cheese, whole milk, potato chips, baked lasagna with sausage, milkshake,
hamburger, french fries, and cola all have more fat and sodium than a client
with cirrhosis should consume.
◍ Which statement is true about the diet plan for toddlers?.
Answer: Milk should be supplemented with solid food items like vegetables
and fruits.In toddlers, the parents should be supplementing the child's intake
of milk with solid foods items, ensuring a balanced diet for adequate
growth. Serving finger foods to toddlers allows them to eat by themselves
