WGU D440 HESI NUTRITION OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT V2 | VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS WITH EXPERT EXPLANATIONS |
2026–2027 UPDATED PDF
• This practice set covers core nutrition concepts tested on the WGU D440 HESI
Objective Assessment, designed to help you master content through active recall
and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE.
• Each question includes 5 options (A–E), a highlighted correct answer, and an
expert EXPERT RATIONALE — ideal for timed practice, weak-area review, and
exam-day confidence.
WGU D440 HESI NUTRITION — 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS (2026–2027)
1. A nurse is teaching a client about MyPlate guidelines. Which food group
should make up the largest portion of the plate?
A) Protein
B) Dairy
C) Fruits
D) Grains
E) Vegetables
Correct Answer: D) Grains
EXPERT RATIONALE: According to MyPlate, grains and vegetables together
make up the largest portions. However, vegetables and grains are each expected to
fill about one-quarter of the plate, with grains being the primary energy source
emphasized in dietary guidelines.
2. Which vitamin is essential for the absorption of calcium in the small
intestine?
,A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin K
D) Vitamin B12
E) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: E) Vitamin D
EXPERT RATIONALE: Vitamin D stimulates the production of calcium-binding
proteins in the intestinal mucosa, facilitating calcium absorption. Without adequate
Vitamin D, calcium absorption is significantly impaired regardless of dietary intake.
3. A client is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. Which food should the
nurse recommend to best increase iron intake?
A) Bananas
B) Whole milk
C) White rice
D) Lean red meat
E) Orange juice
Correct Answer: D) Lean red meat
EXPERT RATIONALE: Lean red meat contains heme iron, which is the most
bioavailable form of dietary iron. Heme iron is absorbed at a rate of 15–35%, far
superior to non-heme iron found in plant sources.
4. Which macronutrient provides the most energy per gram?
A) Protein
B) Carbohydrates
,C) Water
D) Fiber
E) Fat
Correct Answer: E) Fat
EXPERT RATIONALE: Fat provides 9 kcal per gram, compared to protein and
carbohydrates which each provide 4 kcal per gram. This makes fat the most energy-
dense macronutrient.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic kidney disease. Which nutrient
should be most restricted in the diet?
A) Carbohydrates
B) Unsaturated fat
C) Vitamin C
D) Phosphorus
E) Zinc
Correct Answer: D) Phosphorus
EXPERT RATIONALE: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys cannot effectively
excrete phosphorus, leading to hyperphosphatemia. Restriction of phosphorus
prevents complications such as bone disease and vascular calcification.
6. Which of the following is a fat-soluble vitamin?
A) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
B) Vitamin B12
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin A
, E) Folate
Correct Answer: D) Vitamin A
EXPERT RATIONALE: Fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K. These are
stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver. Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and
C) are not stored and must be replenished regularly.
7. A pregnant client asks about folic acid. The nurse explains that adequate
folic acid intake during early pregnancy prevents which condition?
A) Gestational diabetes
B) Preeclampsia
C) Iron-deficiency anemia
D) Cleft palate
E) Neural tube defects
Correct Answer: E) Neural tube defects
EXPERT RATIONALE: Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is critical in the first 28 days of
pregnancy for proper neural tube closure. Deficiency is directly associated with
spina bifida and anencephaly.
8. Which carbohydrate type is most beneficial for slowing glucose absorption?
A) Simple sugars
B) Refined starches
C) Disaccharides
D) High-fructose corn syrup
E) Dietary fiber
Correct Answer: E) Dietary fiber
ASSESSMENT V2 | VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS WITH EXPERT EXPLANATIONS |
2026–2027 UPDATED PDF
• This practice set covers core nutrition concepts tested on the WGU D440 HESI
Objective Assessment, designed to help you master content through active recall
and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE.
• Each question includes 5 options (A–E), a highlighted correct answer, and an
expert EXPERT RATIONALE — ideal for timed practice, weak-area review, and
exam-day confidence.
WGU D440 HESI NUTRITION — 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS (2026–2027)
1. A nurse is teaching a client about MyPlate guidelines. Which food group
should make up the largest portion of the plate?
A) Protein
B) Dairy
C) Fruits
D) Grains
E) Vegetables
Correct Answer: D) Grains
EXPERT RATIONALE: According to MyPlate, grains and vegetables together
make up the largest portions. However, vegetables and grains are each expected to
fill about one-quarter of the plate, with grains being the primary energy source
emphasized in dietary guidelines.
2. Which vitamin is essential for the absorption of calcium in the small
intestine?
,A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin K
D) Vitamin B12
E) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: E) Vitamin D
EXPERT RATIONALE: Vitamin D stimulates the production of calcium-binding
proteins in the intestinal mucosa, facilitating calcium absorption. Without adequate
Vitamin D, calcium absorption is significantly impaired regardless of dietary intake.
3. A client is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. Which food should the
nurse recommend to best increase iron intake?
A) Bananas
B) Whole milk
C) White rice
D) Lean red meat
E) Orange juice
Correct Answer: D) Lean red meat
EXPERT RATIONALE: Lean red meat contains heme iron, which is the most
bioavailable form of dietary iron. Heme iron is absorbed at a rate of 15–35%, far
superior to non-heme iron found in plant sources.
4. Which macronutrient provides the most energy per gram?
A) Protein
B) Carbohydrates
,C) Water
D) Fiber
E) Fat
Correct Answer: E) Fat
EXPERT RATIONALE: Fat provides 9 kcal per gram, compared to protein and
carbohydrates which each provide 4 kcal per gram. This makes fat the most energy-
dense macronutrient.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic kidney disease. Which nutrient
should be most restricted in the diet?
A) Carbohydrates
B) Unsaturated fat
C) Vitamin C
D) Phosphorus
E) Zinc
Correct Answer: D) Phosphorus
EXPERT RATIONALE: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys cannot effectively
excrete phosphorus, leading to hyperphosphatemia. Restriction of phosphorus
prevents complications such as bone disease and vascular calcification.
6. Which of the following is a fat-soluble vitamin?
A) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
B) Vitamin B12
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin A
, E) Folate
Correct Answer: D) Vitamin A
EXPERT RATIONALE: Fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K. These are
stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver. Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and
C) are not stored and must be replenished regularly.
7. A pregnant client asks about folic acid. The nurse explains that adequate
folic acid intake during early pregnancy prevents which condition?
A) Gestational diabetes
B) Preeclampsia
C) Iron-deficiency anemia
D) Cleft palate
E) Neural tube defects
Correct Answer: E) Neural tube defects
EXPERT RATIONALE: Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is critical in the first 28 days of
pregnancy for proper neural tube closure. Deficiency is directly associated with
spina bifida and anencephaly.
8. Which carbohydrate type is most beneficial for slowing glucose absorption?
A) Simple sugars
B) Refined starches
C) Disaccharides
D) High-fructose corn syrup
E) Dietary fiber
Correct Answer: E) Dietary fiber
