PENNSYLVANIA DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025|2026 Q&A |
INSTANTDOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which nutrient is the primary source of energy for the brain?
A. Protein
B. Carbohydrate
C. Fat
D. Vitamin B12
Rationale: Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, the main energy source
for the brain.
2. What is the recommended daily intake of fiber for adults?
A. 10–15 g
B. 15–20 g
C. 25–30 g
D. 35–40 g
Rationale: Dietary guidelines recommend 25–30 g/day for adults to maintain
healthy digestion.
3. Which vitamin is fat-soluble?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin B12
C. Biotin
D. Vitamin D
Rationale: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, stored in body fat and liver.
4. A patient has a serum albumin level of 2.8 g/dL. This indicates:
A. Normal protein status
B. Possible protein malnutrition
C. Dehydration
,D. Iron deficiency
Rationale: Albumin <3.5 g/dL can indicate protein-energy malnutrition.
5. Which fatty acid is considered essential?
A. Oleic acid
B. Linoleic acid
C. Palmitic acid
D. Stearic acid
Rationale: Linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) acids are essential.
6. What is the primary function of Vitamin K?
A. Vision health
B. Immune support
C. Blood clotting
D. Bone matrix formation
Rationale: Vitamin K is required for synthesizing clotting factors.
7. Which lab test best reflects long-term glycemic control?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Random glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Oral glucose tolerance test
Rationale: HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months.
8. What is the primary source of vitamin B12?
A. Fruits
B. Vegetables
C. Animal products
D. Legumes
Rationale: Vitamin B12 is naturally found in meat, eggs, and dairy.
9. A patient on a sodium-restricted diet should avoid:
A. Fresh fruits
B. Raw vegetables
C. Processed meats
, D. Brown rice
Rationale: Processed meats are high in sodium, which is limited in heart disease
management.
10. Which condition increases the need for folate?
A. Hypertension
B. Pregnancy
C. Hyperlipidemia
D. Osteoporosis
Rationale: Folate is required for DNA synthesis and fetal neural tube development.
11. Which mineral is most important for bone health?
A. Iron
B. Zinc
C. Calcium
D. Sodium
Rationale: Calcium is the primary mineral in bone structure.
12. How many grams of protein are recommended per kg of body weight for
healthy adults?
A. 0.5–0.8 g/kg
B. 0.8–1.0 g/kg
C. 1.2–1.5 g/kg
D. 2.0–2.5 g/kg
Rationale: Healthy adults require ~0.8–1.0 g/kg/day.
13. Which type of fiber helps lower cholesterol?
A. Insoluble fiber
B. Soluble fiber
C. Resistant starch
D. Lignin
Rationale: Soluble fiber binds bile acids, reducing cholesterol absorption.
14. Which dietary assessment method provides a snapshot of a patient’s intake?
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025|2026 Q&A |
INSTANTDOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which nutrient is the primary source of energy for the brain?
A. Protein
B. Carbohydrate
C. Fat
D. Vitamin B12
Rationale: Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, the main energy source
for the brain.
2. What is the recommended daily intake of fiber for adults?
A. 10–15 g
B. 15–20 g
C. 25–30 g
D. 35–40 g
Rationale: Dietary guidelines recommend 25–30 g/day for adults to maintain
healthy digestion.
3. Which vitamin is fat-soluble?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin B12
C. Biotin
D. Vitamin D
Rationale: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, stored in body fat and liver.
4. A patient has a serum albumin level of 2.8 g/dL. This indicates:
A. Normal protein status
B. Possible protein malnutrition
C. Dehydration
,D. Iron deficiency
Rationale: Albumin <3.5 g/dL can indicate protein-energy malnutrition.
5. Which fatty acid is considered essential?
A. Oleic acid
B. Linoleic acid
C. Palmitic acid
D. Stearic acid
Rationale: Linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) acids are essential.
6. What is the primary function of Vitamin K?
A. Vision health
B. Immune support
C. Blood clotting
D. Bone matrix formation
Rationale: Vitamin K is required for synthesizing clotting factors.
7. Which lab test best reflects long-term glycemic control?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Random glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Oral glucose tolerance test
Rationale: HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months.
8. What is the primary source of vitamin B12?
A. Fruits
B. Vegetables
C. Animal products
D. Legumes
Rationale: Vitamin B12 is naturally found in meat, eggs, and dairy.
9. A patient on a sodium-restricted diet should avoid:
A. Fresh fruits
B. Raw vegetables
C. Processed meats
, D. Brown rice
Rationale: Processed meats are high in sodium, which is limited in heart disease
management.
10. Which condition increases the need for folate?
A. Hypertension
B. Pregnancy
C. Hyperlipidemia
D. Osteoporosis
Rationale: Folate is required for DNA synthesis and fetal neural tube development.
11. Which mineral is most important for bone health?
A. Iron
B. Zinc
C. Calcium
D. Sodium
Rationale: Calcium is the primary mineral in bone structure.
12. How many grams of protein are recommended per kg of body weight for
healthy adults?
A. 0.5–0.8 g/kg
B. 0.8–1.0 g/kg
C. 1.2–1.5 g/kg
D. 2.0–2.5 g/kg
Rationale: Healthy adults require ~0.8–1.0 g/kg/day.
13. Which type of fiber helps lower cholesterol?
A. Insoluble fiber
B. Soluble fiber
C. Resistant starch
D. Lignin
Rationale: Soluble fiber binds bile acids, reducing cholesterol absorption.
14. Which dietary assessment method provides a snapshot of a patient’s intake?
