KAPLAN NUTRITION A PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats Metabolism
Vitamins and Minerals Function & Deficiency
Medical Nutrition Therapy & Therapeutic Diets
Lifecycle Nutrition (Pregnancy, Infancy, Aging)
Obesity, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease
Renal, Hepatic, and Gastrointestinal Nutrition
Nutrition Assessment and Diagnosis
Ethics and Professional Standards in Nutrition
Introduction
This practice test is designed to prepare students for the Kaplan Nutrition A integrated assessment by evaluating core competencies in human
nutrition, metabolic processes, and clinical application. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that assess
foundational theory alongside real-world decision-making skills. Students will demonstrate knowledge of nutrient functions, dietary
recommendations, therapeutic interventions for disease states, and regulatory compliance in nutrition care. The test emphasizes critical thinking,
requiring candidates to analyze patient scenarios, prioritize interventions, and justify nutrition diagnoses based on evidence-based guidelines.
Success requires mastery of both theoretical concepts and their practical application in professional healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A patient with Type 2 diabetes is advised to increase soluble fiber intake. Which food is the BEST source of soluble fiber?
A. Wheat bran
B. Whole wheat bread
C. Oats
D. Brown rice
🟢 C. Oats
🔴 RATIONALE: Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that helps lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Wheat bran and whole
wheat bread are primarily sources of insoluble fiber, while brown rice has less soluble fiber than oats.
Question 2
Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin E
🟢 C. Vitamin D
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin D stimulates the production of calcium-binding proteins in the intestinal mucosa, directly enhancing calcium absorption.
It also regulates bone remodeling. Vitamins A, C, and E do not have this primary function.
Question 3
A pregnant woman at 20 weeks gestation requires additional protein. How much extra protein per day is recommended during the second and third
trimesters?
A. 10 g/day
B. 25 g/day
C. 40 g/day
D. 50 g/day
,🟢 B. 25 g/day
🔴 RATIONALE: The DRI for protein increases by 25 g/day during the second and third trimesters to support fetal growth, placental development,
and maternal tissue expansion. This is based on ACCP and WHO guidelines.
Question 4
Which nutrient deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia?
A. Iron
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin B6
D. Zinc
🟢 B. Vitamin B12
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin B12 (and folate) deficiency impairs DNA synthesis in red blood cells, leading to large, immature megaloblasts. Iron
deficiency causes microcytic anemia, while B6 and zinc deficiencies present differently.
Question 5
A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 is on a restricted diet. Which nutrient should typically be LIMITED?
A. Carbohydrate
B. Protein
C. Fat
D. Vitamin C
🟢 B. Protein
🔴 RATIONALE: In CKD stage 4, protein restriction (0.6–0.8 g/kg/day) reduces uremic toxin accumulation and slows disease progression.
Carbohydrates and fats are usually not restricted, and vitamin C may need supplementation.
Question 6
Which lipid is the primary component of atherosclerotic plaques?
, A. Triglycerides
B. LDL cholesterol
C. HDL cholesterol
D. Phospholipids
🟢 B. LDL cholesterol
🔴 RATIONALE: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol deposits cholesterol in arterial walls, forming plaques. HDL removes cholesterol,
triglycerides are energy storage, and phospholipids are structural membrane components.
Question 7
Infants should NOT be fed cow's milk before 12 months because it:
A. Contains too much fat
B. Is low in iron and can cause intestinal bleeding
C. Has excessive vitamin D
D. Lackssufficient protein
🟢 B. Is low in iron and can cause intestinal bleeding
🔴 RATIONALE: Cow's milk is low in iron, has calcium that interferes with iron absorption, and its high protein/mineral content can cause
microscopic intestinal bleeding in infants, increasing anemia risk.
Question 8
Which enzyme breaks down starch into maltose in the mouth?
A. Pepsin
B. Amylase
C. Lipase
D. Trypsin
🟢 B. Amylase
🔴 RATIONALE: Salivary amylase (ptyalin) initiates starch digestion in the mouth, breaking it into maltose. Pepsin and trypsin digest proteins;
lipase digests fats.
2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats Metabolism
Vitamins and Minerals Function & Deficiency
Medical Nutrition Therapy & Therapeutic Diets
Lifecycle Nutrition (Pregnancy, Infancy, Aging)
Obesity, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease
Renal, Hepatic, and Gastrointestinal Nutrition
Nutrition Assessment and Diagnosis
Ethics and Professional Standards in Nutrition
Introduction
This practice test is designed to prepare students for the Kaplan Nutrition A integrated assessment by evaluating core competencies in human
nutrition, metabolic processes, and clinical application. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that assess
foundational theory alongside real-world decision-making skills. Students will demonstrate knowledge of nutrient functions, dietary
recommendations, therapeutic interventions for disease states, and regulatory compliance in nutrition care. The test emphasizes critical thinking,
requiring candidates to analyze patient scenarios, prioritize interventions, and justify nutrition diagnoses based on evidence-based guidelines.
Success requires mastery of both theoretical concepts and their practical application in professional healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A patient with Type 2 diabetes is advised to increase soluble fiber intake. Which food is the BEST source of soluble fiber?
A. Wheat bran
B. Whole wheat bread
C. Oats
D. Brown rice
🟢 C. Oats
🔴 RATIONALE: Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that helps lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Wheat bran and whole
wheat bread are primarily sources of insoluble fiber, while brown rice has less soluble fiber than oats.
Question 2
Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin E
🟢 C. Vitamin D
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin D stimulates the production of calcium-binding proteins in the intestinal mucosa, directly enhancing calcium absorption.
It also regulates bone remodeling. Vitamins A, C, and E do not have this primary function.
Question 3
A pregnant woman at 20 weeks gestation requires additional protein. How much extra protein per day is recommended during the second and third
trimesters?
A. 10 g/day
B. 25 g/day
C. 40 g/day
D. 50 g/day
,🟢 B. 25 g/day
🔴 RATIONALE: The DRI for protein increases by 25 g/day during the second and third trimesters to support fetal growth, placental development,
and maternal tissue expansion. This is based on ACCP and WHO guidelines.
Question 4
Which nutrient deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia?
A. Iron
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin B6
D. Zinc
🟢 B. Vitamin B12
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin B12 (and folate) deficiency impairs DNA synthesis in red blood cells, leading to large, immature megaloblasts. Iron
deficiency causes microcytic anemia, while B6 and zinc deficiencies present differently.
Question 5
A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 is on a restricted diet. Which nutrient should typically be LIMITED?
A. Carbohydrate
B. Protein
C. Fat
D. Vitamin C
🟢 B. Protein
🔴 RATIONALE: In CKD stage 4, protein restriction (0.6–0.8 g/kg/day) reduces uremic toxin accumulation and slows disease progression.
Carbohydrates and fats are usually not restricted, and vitamin C may need supplementation.
Question 6
Which lipid is the primary component of atherosclerotic plaques?
, A. Triglycerides
B. LDL cholesterol
C. HDL cholesterol
D. Phospholipids
🟢 B. LDL cholesterol
🔴 RATIONALE: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol deposits cholesterol in arterial walls, forming plaques. HDL removes cholesterol,
triglycerides are energy storage, and phospholipids are structural membrane components.
Question 7
Infants should NOT be fed cow's milk before 12 months because it:
A. Contains too much fat
B. Is low in iron and can cause intestinal bleeding
C. Has excessive vitamin D
D. Lackssufficient protein
🟢 B. Is low in iron and can cause intestinal bleeding
🔴 RATIONALE: Cow's milk is low in iron, has calcium that interferes with iron absorption, and its high protein/mineral content can cause
microscopic intestinal bleeding in infants, increasing anemia risk.
Question 8
Which enzyme breaks down starch into maltose in the mouth?
A. Pepsin
B. Amylase
C. Lipase
D. Trypsin
🟢 B. Amylase
🔴 RATIONALE: Salivary amylase (ptyalin) initiates starch digestion in the mouth, breaking it into maltose. Pepsin and trypsin digest proteins;
lipase digests fats.
