Nutrition HESI Exam Test Bank 2025–2026
RN and PN Nursing Students Edition with Detailed Rationales
and Verified Solutions
1. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the client avoid?
A) Fresh fruits
B) Canned soups
C) Fresh vegetables
D) Plain rice
Correct Answer: B) Canned soups
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium due to added salt as a preservative and flavor
enhancer. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and plain rice are naturally low in sodium and appropriate
for a low-sodium diet.
2. A client with iron deficiency anemia should increase intake of which food?
A) Milk
B) Liver
C) White bread
D) Apples
Correct Answer: B) Liver
Rationale: Liver is one of the richest sources of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed than
non-heme iron. Milk is low in iron and can inhibit iron absorption. White bread and apples are
poor sources of iron.
3. Which vitamin is essential for blood clotting?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin K
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C) Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver.
Vitamin A is important for vision. Vitamin C is important for collagen synthesis and immune
function. Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and bone health.
,4. A client with chronic kidney disease should limit intake of which nutrient?
A) Carbohydrates
B) Protein
C) Fiber
D) Water-soluble vitamins
Correct Answer: B) Protein
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, protein restriction helps reduce the workload on the
kidneys and slows progression of renal failure. Carbohydrates, fiber, and water-soluble vitamins
do not require restriction unless otherwise indicated.
5. Which food is the best source of calcium?
A) Spinach
B) Yogurt
C) Orange juice
D) Chicken
Correct Answer: B) Yogurt
Rationale: Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium with high bioavailability. Spinach contains
calcium but also contains oxalates, which inhibit absorption. Orange juice may be fortified but is
not a natural source. Chicken is not a significant source of calcium.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about a gluten-free diet. Which grain should the client avoid?
A) Rice
B) Corn
C) Wheat
D) Quinoa
Correct Answer: C) Wheat
Rationale: Wheat contains gluten and must be avoided in a gluten-free diet. Rice, corn, and
quinoa are naturally gluten-free grains.
7. Which nutrient deficiency is associated with neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Folate
,C) Calcium
D) Vitamin B12
Correct Answer: B) Folate
Rationale: Folate deficiency during early pregnancy is strongly associated with neural tube
defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Iron deficiency causes anemia. Calcium deficiency
affects bone health. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and neurological
symptoms.
8. A client on warfarin therapy should maintain consistent intake of which vitamin?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin K
D) Vitamin E
Correct Answer: C) Vitamin K
Rationale: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. Consistent intake of vitamin K is important to
maintain stable INR levels. Sudden increases or decreases in vitamin K intake can affect
anticoagulation. Vitamins A, C, and E do not directly interact with warfarin.
9. Which food is a good source of potassium?
A) Bananas
B) White bread
C) Pasta
D) Cheese
Correct Answer: A) Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are well-known for their high potassium content. White bread, pasta, and
cheese are relatively low in potassium. Potassium-rich foods are important for clients on
diuretics that deplete potassium.
10. A client with hypertension should follow which diet?
A) High-protein diet
B) DASH diet
C) Ketogenic diet
D) High-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B) DASH diet
, Rationale: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is specifically designed to
lower blood pressure. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat
dairy while limiting sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
11. Which vitamin is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin B12
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: D) Vitamin D
Rationale: Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from
sunlight. Vitamin A, B12, and C must be obtained from dietary sources.
12. A nurse is teaching a client about a clear liquid diet. Which item is appropriate?
A) Milk
B) Orange juice
C) Gelatin
D) Oatmeal
Correct Answer: C) Gelatin
Rationale: Gelatin is a clear liquid at room temperature and is appropriate for a clear liquid diet.
Milk and orange juice are not clear liquids. Oatmeal is a solid food.
13. Which mineral is important for thyroid function?
A) Iron
B) Iodine
C) Zinc
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B) Iodine
Rationale: Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). Iron is important
for hemoglobin. Zinc is important for immune function and wound healing. Magnesium is
important for muscle and nerve function.
14. A client with gout should avoid which food?
RN and PN Nursing Students Edition with Detailed Rationales
and Verified Solutions
1. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the client avoid?
A) Fresh fruits
B) Canned soups
C) Fresh vegetables
D) Plain rice
Correct Answer: B) Canned soups
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium due to added salt as a preservative and flavor
enhancer. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and plain rice are naturally low in sodium and appropriate
for a low-sodium diet.
2. A client with iron deficiency anemia should increase intake of which food?
A) Milk
B) Liver
C) White bread
D) Apples
Correct Answer: B) Liver
Rationale: Liver is one of the richest sources of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed than
non-heme iron. Milk is low in iron and can inhibit iron absorption. White bread and apples are
poor sources of iron.
3. Which vitamin is essential for blood clotting?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin K
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C) Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver.
Vitamin A is important for vision. Vitamin C is important for collagen synthesis and immune
function. Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and bone health.
,4. A client with chronic kidney disease should limit intake of which nutrient?
A) Carbohydrates
B) Protein
C) Fiber
D) Water-soluble vitamins
Correct Answer: B) Protein
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, protein restriction helps reduce the workload on the
kidneys and slows progression of renal failure. Carbohydrates, fiber, and water-soluble vitamins
do not require restriction unless otherwise indicated.
5. Which food is the best source of calcium?
A) Spinach
B) Yogurt
C) Orange juice
D) Chicken
Correct Answer: B) Yogurt
Rationale: Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium with high bioavailability. Spinach contains
calcium but also contains oxalates, which inhibit absorption. Orange juice may be fortified but is
not a natural source. Chicken is not a significant source of calcium.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about a gluten-free diet. Which grain should the client avoid?
A) Rice
B) Corn
C) Wheat
D) Quinoa
Correct Answer: C) Wheat
Rationale: Wheat contains gluten and must be avoided in a gluten-free diet. Rice, corn, and
quinoa are naturally gluten-free grains.
7. Which nutrient deficiency is associated with neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Folate
,C) Calcium
D) Vitamin B12
Correct Answer: B) Folate
Rationale: Folate deficiency during early pregnancy is strongly associated with neural tube
defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Iron deficiency causes anemia. Calcium deficiency
affects bone health. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and neurological
symptoms.
8. A client on warfarin therapy should maintain consistent intake of which vitamin?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin C
C) Vitamin K
D) Vitamin E
Correct Answer: C) Vitamin K
Rationale: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. Consistent intake of vitamin K is important to
maintain stable INR levels. Sudden increases or decreases in vitamin K intake can affect
anticoagulation. Vitamins A, C, and E do not directly interact with warfarin.
9. Which food is a good source of potassium?
A) Bananas
B) White bread
C) Pasta
D) Cheese
Correct Answer: A) Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are well-known for their high potassium content. White bread, pasta, and
cheese are relatively low in potassium. Potassium-rich foods are important for clients on
diuretics that deplete potassium.
10. A client with hypertension should follow which diet?
A) High-protein diet
B) DASH diet
C) Ketogenic diet
D) High-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B) DASH diet
, Rationale: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is specifically designed to
lower blood pressure. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat
dairy while limiting sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
11. Which vitamin is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight?
A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin B12
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: D) Vitamin D
Rationale: Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from
sunlight. Vitamin A, B12, and C must be obtained from dietary sources.
12. A nurse is teaching a client about a clear liquid diet. Which item is appropriate?
A) Milk
B) Orange juice
C) Gelatin
D) Oatmeal
Correct Answer: C) Gelatin
Rationale: Gelatin is a clear liquid at room temperature and is appropriate for a clear liquid diet.
Milk and orange juice are not clear liquids. Oatmeal is a solid food.
13. Which mineral is important for thyroid function?
A) Iron
B) Iodine
C) Zinc
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B) Iodine
Rationale: Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). Iron is important
for hemoglobin. Zinc is important for immune function and wound healing. Magnesium is
important for muscle and nerve function.
14. A client with gout should avoid which food?
