WGU D440 Nutrition OA Exam – Complete Study Guide & Practice Questions
(2026)
Section 1: Macronutrients & Energy Balance (Questions 1–25)
1. Which macronutrient provides the most concentrated source of energy?
A) Protein
B) Carbohydrates
C) Fat
D) Water
Answer C: ) Fat
Rationale: Fat provides 9 calories per gram, while carbohydrates and protein
provide only 4 calories per gram. This makes fat the most energy-dense
macronutrient.
,2. What is the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for
carbohydrates?
A) 10-35%
B) 20-35%
C) 45-65%
D) 5-20%
Answer C: ) 45-65%
Rationale: The AMDR for carbohydrates is 45-65% of total daily calories.
Carbohydrates serve as the body's primary energy source.
3. What is the AMDR for fats?
A) 10-35%
B) 20-35%
C) 45-65%
D) 5-15%
Answer B: ) 20-35%
Rationale: The AMDR for fats is 20-35% of total daily calories. Lipids serve
functions including long-term energy storage (9 kcal/g), insulation, and
hormone production.
4. What is the AMDR for protein?
,A) 10-35%
B) 20-35%
C) 45-65%
D) 5-10%
Answer A: ) 10-35%
Rationale: The AMDR for protein is 10-35% of total daily calories. Protein is
essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues.
5. Which energy source provides the highest energy value?
A) Carbohydrates
B) Protein
C) Fat
D) Alcohol
Answer C: ) Fat
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kcal/g, the highest energy value among
macronutrients.
6. A client asks the nurse which macronutrient provides the most energy per
gram. What is the correct response?
A) Carbohydrates – 4 kcal/g
B) Protein – 4 kcal/g
, C) Fat – 9 kcal/g
D) Alcohol – 7 kcal/g
Answer C: ) Fat – 9 kcal/g
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kilocalories per gram, the highest energy density
among macronutrients. Carbohydrates and protein each provide 4 kcal/g.
Alcohol provides 7 kcal/g but is not considered a macronutrient essential for
survival.
7. A nurse is educating a client about complete proteins. Which food source
represents a complete protein?
A) Lentils
B) Brown rice
C) Eggs
D) Peanut butter
Answer C: ) Eggs
Rationale: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in
adequate amounts. Animal sources (eggs, meat, poultry, fish, dairy) and soy
are complete proteins. Plant proteins (lentils, rice, peanut butter, beans) are
incomplete, lacking one or more essential amino acids.
8. The body stores excess glucose in the form of:
(2026)
Section 1: Macronutrients & Energy Balance (Questions 1–25)
1. Which macronutrient provides the most concentrated source of energy?
A) Protein
B) Carbohydrates
C) Fat
D) Water
Answer C: ) Fat
Rationale: Fat provides 9 calories per gram, while carbohydrates and protein
provide only 4 calories per gram. This makes fat the most energy-dense
macronutrient.
,2. What is the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for
carbohydrates?
A) 10-35%
B) 20-35%
C) 45-65%
D) 5-20%
Answer C: ) 45-65%
Rationale: The AMDR for carbohydrates is 45-65% of total daily calories.
Carbohydrates serve as the body's primary energy source.
3. What is the AMDR for fats?
A) 10-35%
B) 20-35%
C) 45-65%
D) 5-15%
Answer B: ) 20-35%
Rationale: The AMDR for fats is 20-35% of total daily calories. Lipids serve
functions including long-term energy storage (9 kcal/g), insulation, and
hormone production.
4. What is the AMDR for protein?
,A) 10-35%
B) 20-35%
C) 45-65%
D) 5-10%
Answer A: ) 10-35%
Rationale: The AMDR for protein is 10-35% of total daily calories. Protein is
essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues.
5. Which energy source provides the highest energy value?
A) Carbohydrates
B) Protein
C) Fat
D) Alcohol
Answer C: ) Fat
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kcal/g, the highest energy value among
macronutrients.
6. A client asks the nurse which macronutrient provides the most energy per
gram. What is the correct response?
A) Carbohydrates – 4 kcal/g
B) Protein – 4 kcal/g
, C) Fat – 9 kcal/g
D) Alcohol – 7 kcal/g
Answer C: ) Fat – 9 kcal/g
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kilocalories per gram, the highest energy density
among macronutrients. Carbohydrates and protein each provide 4 kcal/g.
Alcohol provides 7 kcal/g but is not considered a macronutrient essential for
survival.
7. A nurse is educating a client about complete proteins. Which food source
represents a complete protein?
A) Lentils
B) Brown rice
C) Eggs
D) Peanut butter
Answer C: ) Eggs
Rationale: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in
adequate amounts. Animal sources (eggs, meat, poultry, fish, dairy) and soy
are complete proteins. Plant proteins (lentils, rice, peanut butter, beans) are
incomplete, lacking one or more essential amino acids.
8. The body stores excess glucose in the form of:
