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2026 NUTRITION & HEALTH | 150 NGN PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES & PARTIAL CREDIT SCORING | HIGH-YIELD RN & PN REVIEW
QUESTION 1: ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID
• Question: A nurse is teaching a client about dietary fats. Which fatty acid is considered
essential because the human body cannot synthesize it?
• Options:
A. Oleic acid
B. Linoleic acid
C. Palmitic acid
D. Stearic acid
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: Linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid
(omega-3) are essential fatty acids that must be obtained from the diet.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids can be synthesized by the
body.
QUESTION 2: DIETARY FIBER RECOMMENDATION
• Question: A healthy adult client asks about daily fiber intake. What is the generally
recommended amount of dietary fiber for adults?
• Options:
A. 5–10 grams per day
B. 15–20 grams per day
C. 25–30 grams per day
D. Over 50 grams per day
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: C
o Pathophysiology Summary: Most guidelines recommend 25–30 g of dietary
fiber daily for adults to support bowel regularity and metabolic health.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Lower amounts are insufficient; >50 g may cause GI
discomfort if introduced rapidly.
QUESTION 3: PROTEIN NEEDS FOR ATHLETES
, 2
• Question: Which statement is TRUE regarding protein requirements for athletes
compared with sedentary adults?
• Options:
A. Athletes need less protein because energy comes mainly from carbohydrates
B. Protein needs remain exactly the same regardless of activity
C. Athletes require slightly higher protein intake (approximately 1.2–2.0 g/kg body
weight)
D. Athletes need only plant-based protein sources
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: C
o Pathophysiology Summary: Athletes have increased protein needs for muscle
repair and recovery, typically in the 1.2–2.0 g/kg range.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Needs are higher, not lower or identical; both animal and
plant sources can meet requirements.
QUESTION 4: IODINE DEFICIENCY
• Question: A diet chronically deficient in iodine most commonly results in which
condition?
• Options:
A. Rickets
B. Goiter
C. Scurvy
D. Pellagra
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: Iodine is required for thyroid hormone synthesis;
deficiency leads to compensatory thyroid enlargement (goiter).
o Distractor Pitfalls: Rickets = vitamin D; scurvy = vitamin C; pellagra = niacin.
QUESTION 5: NUTRIENT NEEDS IN THE ELDERLY
• Question: Older adults often require increased intake of which nutrients?
• Options:
A. Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D
B. Vitamin C and folate only
, 3
C. Sodium and potassium
D. Vitamin A and iodine
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: Age-related changes in absorption and reduced sun
exposure increase the need for vitamin B12 and vitamin D in older adults.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Sodium is often restricted; the other combinations are not the
primary age-related increases.
QUESTION 6: FACTOR INFLUENCING BMR
• Question: Which factor most strongly influences Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?
• Options:
A. Sleep duration
B. Age, sex, and lean body mass
C. Daily water intake
D. Vitamin consumption
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: BMR is primarily determined by age, sex, and the
amount of metabolically active lean body mass.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Sleep, water, and vitamins have minor or indirect effects.
QUESTION 7: NEGATIVE ENERGY BALANCE
• Question: Which situation represents negative energy balance?
• Options:
A. Eating more calories than burned
B. Burning more calories than consumed
C. Eating equal to energy burned
D. Consuming high-protein diets only
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: Negative energy balance occurs when energy
expenditure exceeds energy intake, leading to weight loss.
, 4
o Distractor Pitfalls: A is positive balance; C is equilibrium; protein content alone
does not define balance.
QUESTION 8: THERMIC EFFECT OF FOOD
• Question: The Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) contributes approximately what percentage
to daily energy expenditure?
• Options:
A. 1–2%
B. 5–10%
C. 20–30%
D. 50%
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: TEF typically accounts for 5–10% of total daily
energy expenditure.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Higher percentages overestimate TEF’s contribution.
QUESTION 9: RDA FOR PROTEIN
• Question: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein in healthy adults is
approximately:
• Options:
A. 0.5 g/kg body weight/day
B. 0.8 g/kg body weight/day
C. 1.5 g/kg body weight/day
D. 2.0 g/kg body weight/day
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: The RDA for protein in healthy sedentary adults is
0.8 g/kg/day.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Higher values apply to athletes or certain clinical conditions.
QUESTION 10: TRACE MINERAL FOR THYROID HORMONE
• Question: The trace mineral required for thyroid hormone production is:
• Options:
A. Zinc
2026 NUTRITION & HEALTH | 150 NGN PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES & PARTIAL CREDIT SCORING | HIGH-YIELD RN & PN REVIEW
QUESTION 1: ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID
• Question: A nurse is teaching a client about dietary fats. Which fatty acid is considered
essential because the human body cannot synthesize it?
• Options:
A. Oleic acid
B. Linoleic acid
C. Palmitic acid
D. Stearic acid
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: Linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid
(omega-3) are essential fatty acids that must be obtained from the diet.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids can be synthesized by the
body.
QUESTION 2: DIETARY FIBER RECOMMENDATION
• Question: A healthy adult client asks about daily fiber intake. What is the generally
recommended amount of dietary fiber for adults?
• Options:
A. 5–10 grams per day
B. 15–20 grams per day
C. 25–30 grams per day
D. Over 50 grams per day
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: C
o Pathophysiology Summary: Most guidelines recommend 25–30 g of dietary
fiber daily for adults to support bowel regularity and metabolic health.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Lower amounts are insufficient; >50 g may cause GI
discomfort if introduced rapidly.
QUESTION 3: PROTEIN NEEDS FOR ATHLETES
, 2
• Question: Which statement is TRUE regarding protein requirements for athletes
compared with sedentary adults?
• Options:
A. Athletes need less protein because energy comes mainly from carbohydrates
B. Protein needs remain exactly the same regardless of activity
C. Athletes require slightly higher protein intake (approximately 1.2–2.0 g/kg body
weight)
D. Athletes need only plant-based protein sources
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: C
o Pathophysiology Summary: Athletes have increased protein needs for muscle
repair and recovery, typically in the 1.2–2.0 g/kg range.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Needs are higher, not lower or identical; both animal and
plant sources can meet requirements.
QUESTION 4: IODINE DEFICIENCY
• Question: A diet chronically deficient in iodine most commonly results in which
condition?
• Options:
A. Rickets
B. Goiter
C. Scurvy
D. Pellagra
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: Iodine is required for thyroid hormone synthesis;
deficiency leads to compensatory thyroid enlargement (goiter).
o Distractor Pitfalls: Rickets = vitamin D; scurvy = vitamin C; pellagra = niacin.
QUESTION 5: NUTRIENT NEEDS IN THE ELDERLY
• Question: Older adults often require increased intake of which nutrients?
• Options:
A. Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D
B. Vitamin C and folate only
, 3
C. Sodium and potassium
D. Vitamin A and iodine
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: Age-related changes in absorption and reduced sun
exposure increase the need for vitamin B12 and vitamin D in older adults.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Sodium is often restricted; the other combinations are not the
primary age-related increases.
QUESTION 6: FACTOR INFLUENCING BMR
• Question: Which factor most strongly influences Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?
• Options:
A. Sleep duration
B. Age, sex, and lean body mass
C. Daily water intake
D. Vitamin consumption
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: BMR is primarily determined by age, sex, and the
amount of metabolically active lean body mass.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Sleep, water, and vitamins have minor or indirect effects.
QUESTION 7: NEGATIVE ENERGY BALANCE
• Question: Which situation represents negative energy balance?
• Options:
A. Eating more calories than burned
B. Burning more calories than consumed
C. Eating equal to energy burned
D. Consuming high-protein diets only
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: Negative energy balance occurs when energy
expenditure exceeds energy intake, leading to weight loss.
, 4
o Distractor Pitfalls: A is positive balance; C is equilibrium; protein content alone
does not define balance.
QUESTION 8: THERMIC EFFECT OF FOOD
• Question: The Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) contributes approximately what percentage
to daily energy expenditure?
• Options:
A. 1–2%
B. 5–10%
C. 20–30%
D. 50%
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: TEF typically accounts for 5–10% of total daily
energy expenditure.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Higher percentages overestimate TEF’s contribution.
QUESTION 9: RDA FOR PROTEIN
• Question: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein in healthy adults is
approximately:
• Options:
A. 0.5 g/kg body weight/day
B. 0.8 g/kg body weight/day
C. 1.5 g/kg body weight/day
D. 2.0 g/kg body weight/day
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: The RDA for protein in healthy sedentary adults is
0.8 g/kg/day.
o Distractor Pitfalls: Higher values apply to athletes or certain clinical conditions.
QUESTION 10: TRACE MINERAL FOR THYROID HORMONE
• Question: The trace mineral required for thyroid hormone production is:
• Options:
A. Zinc
