KAPLAN NUTRITION ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
|LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
CORE DOMAINS
1. Macronutrient Metabolism and Digestion
2. Therapeutic Diets and Medical Nutrition Therapy
3. Nutritional Assessment and Anthropometrics
4. Lifecycle Nutrition and Developmental Needs
5. Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support
6. Food Safety and Dietary Regulations
7. Electrolyte and Fluid Balance
8. Nutrition-Related Pharmacotherapy
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the clinical proficiency of nursing professionals regarding nutritional science and its
application in patient care. The assessment measures knowledge of dietary management, metabolic processes, and the integration of
nutrition into comprehensive treatment plans. Through a rigorous series of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, candidates must
demonstrate the ability to apply nutritional theory to real-world clinical challenges. The exam emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based
decision-making, and the identification of patient-specific needs, ensuring practitioners can effectively manage nutritional interventions
across diverse healthcare settings to improve patient outcomes and maintain professional safety standards.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed a protein-restricted diet. Which finding indicates the patient understands the
rationale for this diet?
A. The diet will help prevent excessive weight gain.
B. The diet will decrease the workload on the kidneys by reducing nitrogenous waste.
C. The diet is designed to improve electrolyte balance specifically for potassium.
D. The diet will eliminate the need for dialysis treatments.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Reducing dietary protein decreases the production of urea and other nitrogenous wastes that the damaged kidneys
struggle to excrete, thereby slowing the progression of renal dysfunction.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with iron-deficiency anemia. Which dietary choice best enhances iron
absorption?
A. A glass of milk with breakfast.
B. Drinking tea with the main meal.
C. Consuming a glass of orange juice with an iron-rich meal.
D. Eating toast with high-fiber cereals.
🟢C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) significantly increases the absorption of non-heme iron from food sources when consumed
concurrently.
An elderly client is admitted with signs of malnutrition and dehydration. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Request a consult for a swallowing evaluation.
B. Initiate a high-protein liquid supplement.
C. Monitor daily weights and intake/output.
D. Provide frequent, small, nutrient-dense meals.
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: In elderly clients, malnutrition is frequently linked to dysphagia; assessing safety and the ability to swallow is the
priority before nutritional intake can be safely addressed.
A patient is receiving continuous enteral tube feeding. The nurse identifies the head of the bed is at 15 degrees. What action should
the nurse take?
A. Increase the feeding rate to compensate.
B. Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30–45 degrees.
C. Stop the feeding immediately and check residual.
D. Document the finding and continue the infusion.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees is essential to prevent aspiration in patients receiving enteral
nutrition.
Which laboratory value is the most accurate indicator of long-term nutritional status?
A. Prealbumin
B. Albumin
C. Transferrin
D. Hemoglobin
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Albumin has a long half-life (approximately 20 days), making it a stable indicator of chronic nutritional status,
whereas prealbumin reflects more acute changes.
A client asks about the "Mediterranean diet." The nurse explains this diet is primarily beneficial because:
A. It focuses on low-carbohydrate intake for rapid weight loss.
B. It emphasizes healthy fats, plant-based foods, and lean proteins for heart health.
C. It eliminates all processed sugars and grains.
D. It requires specific caloric counting for each meal.
, 🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The Mediterranean diet is widely recognized for its heart-health benefits due to its emphasis on monounsaturated
fats (olive oil), whole grains, vegetables, and fish.
A nurse is caring for a patient on Warfarin therapy. The nurse should instruct the patient to maintain a consistent intake of which food
group?
A. High-potassium foods like bananas.
B. Leafy green vegetables containing Vitamin K.
C. High-sodium processed snacks.
D. Dairy products containing calcium.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin K promotes blood clotting and directly antagonizes the effects of Warfarin; fluctuating intake levels can lead
to unpredictable therapeutic results.
When assessing a patient’s diet, the nurse notes they are vegan. Which nutritional deficiency is the highest risk?
A. Vitamin C
B. Folate
C. Vitamin B12
D. Potassium
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin B12 is found naturally only in animal products, so individuals following a strict vegan diet require
supplementation or fortified foods.
A patient with Type 2 diabetes is experiencing an episode of hypoglycemia. What is the most appropriate initial snack?
A. A candy bar with nuts.
B. 4 ounces of orange juice.
C. A glass of whole milk.
D. Peanut butter on crackers.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Simple carbohydrates, such as fruit juice, are absorbed rapidly and are the fastest way to raise blood glucose during
an acute hypoglycemic episode.
Which statement by a patient indicates a need for further education on a low-sodium diet?
A. I should avoid adding salt at the table.
B. I will read food labels for sodium content.
C. I will choose canned vegetables instead of fresh to save money.
|LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
CORE DOMAINS
1. Macronutrient Metabolism and Digestion
2. Therapeutic Diets and Medical Nutrition Therapy
3. Nutritional Assessment and Anthropometrics
4. Lifecycle Nutrition and Developmental Needs
5. Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support
6. Food Safety and Dietary Regulations
7. Electrolyte and Fluid Balance
8. Nutrition-Related Pharmacotherapy
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the clinical proficiency of nursing professionals regarding nutritional science and its
application in patient care. The assessment measures knowledge of dietary management, metabolic processes, and the integration of
nutrition into comprehensive treatment plans. Through a rigorous series of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, candidates must
demonstrate the ability to apply nutritional theory to real-world clinical challenges. The exam emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based
decision-making, and the identification of patient-specific needs, ensuring practitioners can effectively manage nutritional interventions
across diverse healthcare settings to improve patient outcomes and maintain professional safety standards.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed a protein-restricted diet. Which finding indicates the patient understands the
rationale for this diet?
A. The diet will help prevent excessive weight gain.
B. The diet will decrease the workload on the kidneys by reducing nitrogenous waste.
C. The diet is designed to improve electrolyte balance specifically for potassium.
D. The diet will eliminate the need for dialysis treatments.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Reducing dietary protein decreases the production of urea and other nitrogenous wastes that the damaged kidneys
struggle to excrete, thereby slowing the progression of renal dysfunction.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with iron-deficiency anemia. Which dietary choice best enhances iron
absorption?
A. A glass of milk with breakfast.
B. Drinking tea with the main meal.
C. Consuming a glass of orange juice with an iron-rich meal.
D. Eating toast with high-fiber cereals.
🟢C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) significantly increases the absorption of non-heme iron from food sources when consumed
concurrently.
An elderly client is admitted with signs of malnutrition and dehydration. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Request a consult for a swallowing evaluation.
B. Initiate a high-protein liquid supplement.
C. Monitor daily weights and intake/output.
D. Provide frequent, small, nutrient-dense meals.
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: In elderly clients, malnutrition is frequently linked to dysphagia; assessing safety and the ability to swallow is the
priority before nutritional intake can be safely addressed.
A patient is receiving continuous enteral tube feeding. The nurse identifies the head of the bed is at 15 degrees. What action should
the nurse take?
A. Increase the feeding rate to compensate.
B. Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30–45 degrees.
C. Stop the feeding immediately and check residual.
D. Document the finding and continue the infusion.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees is essential to prevent aspiration in patients receiving enteral
nutrition.
Which laboratory value is the most accurate indicator of long-term nutritional status?
A. Prealbumin
B. Albumin
C. Transferrin
D. Hemoglobin
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Albumin has a long half-life (approximately 20 days), making it a stable indicator of chronic nutritional status,
whereas prealbumin reflects more acute changes.
A client asks about the "Mediterranean diet." The nurse explains this diet is primarily beneficial because:
A. It focuses on low-carbohydrate intake for rapid weight loss.
B. It emphasizes healthy fats, plant-based foods, and lean proteins for heart health.
C. It eliminates all processed sugars and grains.
D. It requires specific caloric counting for each meal.
, 🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The Mediterranean diet is widely recognized for its heart-health benefits due to its emphasis on monounsaturated
fats (olive oil), whole grains, vegetables, and fish.
A nurse is caring for a patient on Warfarin therapy. The nurse should instruct the patient to maintain a consistent intake of which food
group?
A. High-potassium foods like bananas.
B. Leafy green vegetables containing Vitamin K.
C. High-sodium processed snacks.
D. Dairy products containing calcium.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin K promotes blood clotting and directly antagonizes the effects of Warfarin; fluctuating intake levels can lead
to unpredictable therapeutic results.
When assessing a patient’s diet, the nurse notes they are vegan. Which nutritional deficiency is the highest risk?
A. Vitamin C
B. Folate
C. Vitamin B12
D. Potassium
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin B12 is found naturally only in animal products, so individuals following a strict vegan diet require
supplementation or fortified foods.
A patient with Type 2 diabetes is experiencing an episode of hypoglycemia. What is the most appropriate initial snack?
A. A candy bar with nuts.
B. 4 ounces of orange juice.
C. A glass of whole milk.
D. Peanut butter on crackers.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Simple carbohydrates, such as fruit juice, are absorbed rapidly and are the fastest way to raise blood glucose during
an acute hypoglycemic episode.
Which statement by a patient indicates a need for further education on a low-sodium diet?
A. I should avoid adding salt at the table.
B. I will read food labels for sodium content.
C. I will choose canned vegetables instead of fresh to save money.
