WGU D440 Nutrition Study Guide: Pregnancy & Lactation
Nutrition (Chapter 10) – 60-Question Practice Exam
Question 1
A pregnant client in her first trimester asks how many additional calories she needs daily. What
is the correct response?
A) +100 kcal/day
B) +200 kcal/day
C) No additional calories are required during the first trimester
D) +500 kcal/day
Rationale: During the first trimester, no additional calories are needed beyond the woman's
baseline requirements. Extra calories become necessary only in the second trimester (+340
kcal/day) and third trimester (+450 kcal/day) to support fetal growth, placental development,
and increased maternal tissues.
Question 2
A breastfeeding mother in her first 6 months postpartum asks about her daily calorie needs.
What is the recommended additional caloric intake?
A) 130 kcal/day
B) 330 kcal/day
C) 530 kcal/day
D) 730 kcal/day
Rationale: The estimated increased calorie recommendation for lactating mothers during the
first 6 months is approximately +330 kcal/day. The body also utilizes fat stores deposited
during pregnancy to help meet milk production energy demands.
Question 3
Which nutrient is MOST critical for preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida and
anencephaly?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Vitamin D
D) Folic acid (Folate)
Rationale: Folic acid plays a vital role in new cell creation and is essential for preventing neural
tube defects. Supplementation should begin at least 1–2 months before conception, and the
recommended intake is 400–600 mcg/day.
Question 4
,What is the recommended daily fluid intake for breastfeeding mothers?
A) 1–2 liters
B) 3–4 liters
C) 5–6 liters
D) 7–8 liters
Rationale: Breastfeeding mothers should consume approximately 3–4 liters of fluid daily to
support adequate milk production.
Question 5
A pregnant woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI asks about appropriate weight gain
during the first trimester. What is the recommended range?
A) 0.5–2.0 kg (1–4.5 lb)
B) 2.0–3.5 kg (4.5–7.7 lb)
C) 3.5–5.0 kg (7.7–11 lb)
D) 5.0–7.5 kg (11–16.5 lb)
Rationale: The target weight gain during the first trimester is 0.5–2.0 kg. Weight gain becomes
more steady during the second and third trimesters.
Question 6
Which of the following is the MOST common cause of anemia during pregnancy?
A) Vitamin B12 deficiency
B) Iron deficiency
C) Folate deficiency
D) Vitamin C deficiency
Rationale: Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia during pregnancy. Iron
supports increased maternal blood volume and fetal growth. Iron deficiency anemia can lead
to fatigue, premature birth, and low birth weight.
Question 7
Which food is a good source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an important nutrient for fetal
brain development?
A) Fortified cereals
B) Egg yolks, algae, fish, and seafood
C) Milk and dairy products
D) Whole grains
Rationale: DHA is a critical omega-3 fatty acid for fetal brain and eye development. Good
sources include egg yolks, algae, fish, and other seafood.
, Question 8
Why is human milk considered the ideal first food for human infants?
A) It is free of all allergens
B) It is easier to digest than formula
C) Its nutrient content regularly changes to meet the infant's needs
D) It contains more protein than formula
Rationale: Human milk is uniquely dynamic—its nutrient composition changes over time to
match the evolving needs of the growing infant.
Question 9
What is the recommended folic acid intake for pregnant women?
A) 100–200 mcg/day
B) 200–300 mcg/day
C) 400–600 mcg/day
D) 800–1000 mcg/day
Rationale: The recommended folic acid intake during pregnancy is 400–600 mcg/day, with
supplementation ideally beginning 1–2 months before conception.
Question 10
A pregnant client with severe nausea and vomiting asks for dietary advice. Which statement is
UNTRUE and should NOT be recommended?
A) Avoid lying down immediately after meals
B) Avoid eating large meals at one sitting
C) "Make sure to drink liquids with your meals to help with digestion."
D) Eat several small meals daily
Rationale: Drinking liquids with meals can worsen nausea by promoting early satiety and
gastric distension. Instead, fluids should be consumed between meals.
Question 11
Which nutrient recommendation remains the SAME during pregnancy as for non-pregnant
women?
A) Iron
B) Folate
C) Calcium
D) Vitamin D
Rationale: Calcium requirements do not increase during pregnancy; the recommended intake
is the same as for non-pregnant women (1,000 mg/day for women ages 19–50).
Nutrition (Chapter 10) – 60-Question Practice Exam
Question 1
A pregnant client in her first trimester asks how many additional calories she needs daily. What
is the correct response?
A) +100 kcal/day
B) +200 kcal/day
C) No additional calories are required during the first trimester
D) +500 kcal/day
Rationale: During the first trimester, no additional calories are needed beyond the woman's
baseline requirements. Extra calories become necessary only in the second trimester (+340
kcal/day) and third trimester (+450 kcal/day) to support fetal growth, placental development,
and increased maternal tissues.
Question 2
A breastfeeding mother in her first 6 months postpartum asks about her daily calorie needs.
What is the recommended additional caloric intake?
A) 130 kcal/day
B) 330 kcal/day
C) 530 kcal/day
D) 730 kcal/day
Rationale: The estimated increased calorie recommendation for lactating mothers during the
first 6 months is approximately +330 kcal/day. The body also utilizes fat stores deposited
during pregnancy to help meet milk production energy demands.
Question 3
Which nutrient is MOST critical for preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida and
anencephaly?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Vitamin D
D) Folic acid (Folate)
Rationale: Folic acid plays a vital role in new cell creation and is essential for preventing neural
tube defects. Supplementation should begin at least 1–2 months before conception, and the
recommended intake is 400–600 mcg/day.
Question 4
,What is the recommended daily fluid intake for breastfeeding mothers?
A) 1–2 liters
B) 3–4 liters
C) 5–6 liters
D) 7–8 liters
Rationale: Breastfeeding mothers should consume approximately 3–4 liters of fluid daily to
support adequate milk production.
Question 5
A pregnant woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI asks about appropriate weight gain
during the first trimester. What is the recommended range?
A) 0.5–2.0 kg (1–4.5 lb)
B) 2.0–3.5 kg (4.5–7.7 lb)
C) 3.5–5.0 kg (7.7–11 lb)
D) 5.0–7.5 kg (11–16.5 lb)
Rationale: The target weight gain during the first trimester is 0.5–2.0 kg. Weight gain becomes
more steady during the second and third trimesters.
Question 6
Which of the following is the MOST common cause of anemia during pregnancy?
A) Vitamin B12 deficiency
B) Iron deficiency
C) Folate deficiency
D) Vitamin C deficiency
Rationale: Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia during pregnancy. Iron
supports increased maternal blood volume and fetal growth. Iron deficiency anemia can lead
to fatigue, premature birth, and low birth weight.
Question 7
Which food is a good source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an important nutrient for fetal
brain development?
A) Fortified cereals
B) Egg yolks, algae, fish, and seafood
C) Milk and dairy products
D) Whole grains
Rationale: DHA is a critical omega-3 fatty acid for fetal brain and eye development. Good
sources include egg yolks, algae, fish, and other seafood.
, Question 8
Why is human milk considered the ideal first food for human infants?
A) It is free of all allergens
B) It is easier to digest than formula
C) Its nutrient content regularly changes to meet the infant's needs
D) It contains more protein than formula
Rationale: Human milk is uniquely dynamic—its nutrient composition changes over time to
match the evolving needs of the growing infant.
Question 9
What is the recommended folic acid intake for pregnant women?
A) 100–200 mcg/day
B) 200–300 mcg/day
C) 400–600 mcg/day
D) 800–1000 mcg/day
Rationale: The recommended folic acid intake during pregnancy is 400–600 mcg/day, with
supplementation ideally beginning 1–2 months before conception.
Question 10
A pregnant client with severe nausea and vomiting asks for dietary advice. Which statement is
UNTRUE and should NOT be recommended?
A) Avoid lying down immediately after meals
B) Avoid eating large meals at one sitting
C) "Make sure to drink liquids with your meals to help with digestion."
D) Eat several small meals daily
Rationale: Drinking liquids with meals can worsen nausea by promoting early satiety and
gastric distension. Instead, fluids should be consumed between meals.
Question 11
Which nutrient recommendation remains the SAME during pregnancy as for non-pregnant
women?
A) Iron
B) Folate
C) Calcium
D) Vitamin D
Rationale: Calcium requirements do not increase during pregnancy; the recommended intake
is the same as for non-pregnant women (1,000 mg/day for women ages 19–50).
