,HESI Nutrition Exam Questions And Answers | Nursing | 2026/2027
1.** Which macronutrient provides the most concentrated source of energy
per gram?
A) Carbohydrates (4 kcal/g)
B) Proteins (4 kcal/g)
C) Fats (9 kcal/g)
D) Alcohol (7 kcal/g)
**Correct Answer:** C) Fats (9 kcal/g)
**Rationale:** Fats provide 9 kcal per gram, making them the most energy-
dense macronutrient. Carbohydrates and proteins each provide 4 kcal/g.
Alcohol provides 7 kcal/g but is not classified as an essential nutrient.
Understanding energy density is fundamental to nutrition counseling for
weight management and therapeutic diets.
---
**2.** The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) recommends
that carbohydrates should provide what percentage of total daily caloric
intake?
A) 10-35%
B) 20-35%
C) 45-65%
D) 65-75%
**Correct Answer:** C) 45-65%
,**Rationale:** Carbohydrates should provide 45-65% of total daily caloric
intake, making them the largest source of calories. Proteins should provide
10-35%, and fats should provide 20-35% of total daily calories.
Carbohydrates are the body's preferred energy source.
---
**3.** Which laboratory value is the most sensitive indicator of recent protein
status?
A) Serum albumin
B) Serum transferrin
C) Serum prealbumin
D) Total lymphocyte count
**Correct Answer:** C) Serum prealbumin
**Rationale:** Serum prealbumin is the most sensitive indicator of recent
protein status because it has a short half-life of 2-3 days, making it
responsive to acute changes in nutritional status. Serum albumin has a half-
life of 20 days, making it less sensitive to acute changes. Transferrin and
total lymphocyte count are also used but are less sensitive than prealbumin.
---
**4.** Which vitamins are classified as fat-soluble?
A) Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins
, B) Vitamins A, D, E, and K
C) Vitamins B₁₂ and folate
D) Vitamins C and D
**Correct Answer:** B) Vitamins A, D, E, and K
**Rationale:** Vitamins A, D, E, and K are classified as fat-soluble vitamins.
They are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver, and excess intake can
lead to toxicity because they can accumulate in the body. Water-soluble
vitamins include vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins.
---
**5.** A patient asks about complete proteins. Which food source represents
a complete protein?
A) Lentils
B) Brown rice
C) Eggs
D) Peanut butter
**Correct 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. Vegetarians should
combine complementary proteins (e.g., rice with beans) to achieve complete
protein profiles.
1.** Which macronutrient provides the most concentrated source of energy
per gram?
A) Carbohydrates (4 kcal/g)
B) Proteins (4 kcal/g)
C) Fats (9 kcal/g)
D) Alcohol (7 kcal/g)
**Correct Answer:** C) Fats (9 kcal/g)
**Rationale:** Fats provide 9 kcal per gram, making them the most energy-
dense macronutrient. Carbohydrates and proteins each provide 4 kcal/g.
Alcohol provides 7 kcal/g but is not classified as an essential nutrient.
Understanding energy density is fundamental to nutrition counseling for
weight management and therapeutic diets.
---
**2.** The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) recommends
that carbohydrates should provide what percentage of total daily caloric
intake?
A) 10-35%
B) 20-35%
C) 45-65%
D) 65-75%
**Correct Answer:** C) 45-65%
,**Rationale:** Carbohydrates should provide 45-65% of total daily caloric
intake, making them the largest source of calories. Proteins should provide
10-35%, and fats should provide 20-35% of total daily calories.
Carbohydrates are the body's preferred energy source.
---
**3.** Which laboratory value is the most sensitive indicator of recent protein
status?
A) Serum albumin
B) Serum transferrin
C) Serum prealbumin
D) Total lymphocyte count
**Correct Answer:** C) Serum prealbumin
**Rationale:** Serum prealbumin is the most sensitive indicator of recent
protein status because it has a short half-life of 2-3 days, making it
responsive to acute changes in nutritional status. Serum albumin has a half-
life of 20 days, making it less sensitive to acute changes. Transferrin and
total lymphocyte count are also used but are less sensitive than prealbumin.
---
**4.** Which vitamins are classified as fat-soluble?
A) Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins
, B) Vitamins A, D, E, and K
C) Vitamins B₁₂ and folate
D) Vitamins C and D
**Correct Answer:** B) Vitamins A, D, E, and K
**Rationale:** Vitamins A, D, E, and K are classified as fat-soluble vitamins.
They are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver, and excess intake can
lead to toxicity because they can accumulate in the body. Water-soluble
vitamins include vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins.
---
**5.** A patient asks about complete proteins. Which food source represents
a complete protein?
A) Lentils
B) Brown rice
C) Eggs
D) Peanut butter
**Correct 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. Vegetarians should
combine complementary proteins (e.g., rice with beans) to achieve complete
protein profiles.
