HESI Nutrition Practice Exam with
Answers
4Rationale: Dark green leafy vegetables are a good source of iron and oranges are a good
source of vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption. All other options are not food sources
that are high in iron and vitamin C. - ✔✔The nurse is teaching a client who has iron deficiency
anemia about foods she should include in the diet. The nurse determines that the client
understands the dietary modifications if which items are selected from the menu?
1. Nuts and milk
2. Coffee and tea
3. Cooked rolled oats and fish
4. Oranges and dark green leafy vegetables
3, 4, 5Rationale: Fruits and vegetables tend to be lower in fat because they do not come from
animal sources. Broiled haddock is also naturally lower in fat. Margarine, cream cheese, and
luncheon meats are high-fat foods. - ✔✔The nurse is planning to teach a client with
malabsorption syndrome about the necessity of following a low-fat diet. The nurse develops a
list of high-fat foods to avoid and should include which food items on the list? Select all that
apply.
1. Oranges
2. Broccoli
3. Margarine
4. Cream cheese
5. Luncheon meats
6. Broiled haddock
1Rationale: The diet for a client with chronic kidney disease who is receiving hemodialysis
should include controlled amounts of sodium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and fluids,
which is indicated in the correct option. The food items in the remaining options are high in
sodium, phosphorus, or potassium. - ✔✔The nurse instructs a client with chronic kidney
disease who is receiving hemodialysis about dietary modifications. The nurse determines that
,the client understands these dietary modifications if the client selects which items from the
dietary menu?
1. Cream of wheat, blueberries, coffee
2. Sausage and eggs, banana, orange juice
3. Bacon, cantaloupe melon, tomato juice
4. Cured pork, grits, strawberries, orange juice
2Rationale: Vegans do not consume any animal products. Vitamin B12 is found in animal
products and therefore would most likely be lacking in a vegan diet. Vitamins A, C, and E are
found in fresh fruits and vegetables, which are consumed in a vegan diet. - ✔✔The nurse is
conducting a dietary assessment on a client who is on a vegan diet. The nurse provides dietary
teaching and should focus on foods high in which vitamin that may be lacking in a vegan diet?
1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B12
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin E
4Rationale: Foods that are lower in sodium include fruits and vegetables (summer squash),
because they do not contain physiological saline. Highly processed or refined foods (tomato
soup, instant oatmeal) are higher in sodium unless their food labels specifically state "low
sodium." Saltwater fish and shellfish are high in sodium. - ✔✔A client with hypertension has
been told to maintain a diet low in sodium. The nurse who is teaching this client about foods
that are allowed should include which food item in a list provided to the client?
1. Tomato soup
2. Boiled shrimp
3. Instant oatmeal
4. Summer squash
1, 2, 3Rationale: A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are relatively transparent to light and
are clear and liquid at room and body temperature. These foods include items such as water,
bouillon, clear broth, carbonated beverages, gelatin, hard candy, lemonade, ice pops, and
,regular or decaffeinated coffee or tea. The incorrect food items are items that are allowed on a
full liquid diet. - ✔✔A postoperative client has been placed on a clear liquid diet. The nurse
should provide the client with which items that are allowed to be consumed on this diet? Select
all that apply.
1. Broth
2. Coffee
3. Gelatin
4. Pudding
5. Vegetable juice
6. Pureed vegetables
3Rationale: Smoked foods are high in sodium, which is noted in the correct option. The
remaining options are fruits and vegetables, which are low in sodium. - ✔✔The nurse is
instructing a client with hypertension on the importance of choosing foods low in sodium. The
nurse should teach the client to limit intake of which food?
1. Apples
2. Bananas
3. Smoked sausage
4. Steamed vegetables
3Rationale: Full liquid food items include items such as plain ice cream, sherbet, breakfast
drinks, milk, pudding and custard, soups that are strained, refined cooked cereals, and strained
vegetable juices. A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are relatively transparent. The food
items in the incorrect options are clear liquids. - ✔✔A client who is recovering from surgery has
been advanced from a clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet. The client is looking forward to the
diet change because he has been "bored" with the clear liquid diet. The nurse should offer
which full liquid item to the client?
1. Tea
2. Gelatin
3. Custard
4. Ice pop
, 2Rationale: Citrus fruits and juices are especially high in vitamin C. Bananas are high in
potassium. Meats and dairy products are two food groups that are high in the B vitamins. -
✔✔A client is recovering from abdominal surgery and has a large abdominal wound. The nurse
should encourage the client to eat which food item that is naturally high in vitamin C to
promote wound healing?
1. Milk
2. Oranges
3. Bananas
4. Chicken
4Rationale: The client with cirrhosis needs to consume foods high in thiamine. Thiamine is
present in a variety of foods of plant and animal origin. Legumes are especially rich in this
vitamin. Other good food sources include nuts, whole-grain cereals, and pork. Milk contains
vitamins A, D, and B2. Poultry contains niacin. Broccoli contains vitamins C, E, and K and folic
acid. - ✔✔The nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. To minimize the effects of
the disorder, the nurse teaches the client about foods that are high in thiamine. The nurse
determines that the client has the best understanding of the dietary measures to follow if the
client states an intention to increase the intake of which food?
1. Milk
2. Chicken
3. Broccoli
4. Legumes
2Rationale: When a client begins eating a regular diet after a period of receiving PN, the PN is
decreased gradually. PN that is discontinued abruptly can cause hypoglycemia. Clients often
have anorexia after being without food for some time, and the digestive tract also is not used to
producing the digestive enzymes that will be needed. Gradually decreasing the infusion rate
allows the client to remain adequately nourished during the transition to a normal diet and
prevents the occurrence of hypoglycemia. Even before clients are started on a solid diet, they
are given clear liquids followed by full liquids to further ease the transition. A solution of normal
saline does not provide the glucose needed during the transition of discontinuing the PN and
could cause the client to experience hypoglycemia. - ✔✔A client is being weaned from
parenteral nutrition (PN) and is expected to begin taking solid food today. The ongoing solution
Answers
4Rationale: Dark green leafy vegetables are a good source of iron and oranges are a good
source of vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption. All other options are not food sources
that are high in iron and vitamin C. - ✔✔The nurse is teaching a client who has iron deficiency
anemia about foods she should include in the diet. The nurse determines that the client
understands the dietary modifications if which items are selected from the menu?
1. Nuts and milk
2. Coffee and tea
3. Cooked rolled oats and fish
4. Oranges and dark green leafy vegetables
3, 4, 5Rationale: Fruits and vegetables tend to be lower in fat because they do not come from
animal sources. Broiled haddock is also naturally lower in fat. Margarine, cream cheese, and
luncheon meats are high-fat foods. - ✔✔The nurse is planning to teach a client with
malabsorption syndrome about the necessity of following a low-fat diet. The nurse develops a
list of high-fat foods to avoid and should include which food items on the list? Select all that
apply.
1. Oranges
2. Broccoli
3. Margarine
4. Cream cheese
5. Luncheon meats
6. Broiled haddock
1Rationale: The diet for a client with chronic kidney disease who is receiving hemodialysis
should include controlled amounts of sodium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and fluids,
which is indicated in the correct option. The food items in the remaining options are high in
sodium, phosphorus, or potassium. - ✔✔The nurse instructs a client with chronic kidney
disease who is receiving hemodialysis about dietary modifications. The nurse determines that
,the client understands these dietary modifications if the client selects which items from the
dietary menu?
1. Cream of wheat, blueberries, coffee
2. Sausage and eggs, banana, orange juice
3. Bacon, cantaloupe melon, tomato juice
4. Cured pork, grits, strawberries, orange juice
2Rationale: Vegans do not consume any animal products. Vitamin B12 is found in animal
products and therefore would most likely be lacking in a vegan diet. Vitamins A, C, and E are
found in fresh fruits and vegetables, which are consumed in a vegan diet. - ✔✔The nurse is
conducting a dietary assessment on a client who is on a vegan diet. The nurse provides dietary
teaching and should focus on foods high in which vitamin that may be lacking in a vegan diet?
1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B12
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin E
4Rationale: Foods that are lower in sodium include fruits and vegetables (summer squash),
because they do not contain physiological saline. Highly processed or refined foods (tomato
soup, instant oatmeal) are higher in sodium unless their food labels specifically state "low
sodium." Saltwater fish and shellfish are high in sodium. - ✔✔A client with hypertension has
been told to maintain a diet low in sodium. The nurse who is teaching this client about foods
that are allowed should include which food item in a list provided to the client?
1. Tomato soup
2. Boiled shrimp
3. Instant oatmeal
4. Summer squash
1, 2, 3Rationale: A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are relatively transparent to light and
are clear and liquid at room and body temperature. These foods include items such as water,
bouillon, clear broth, carbonated beverages, gelatin, hard candy, lemonade, ice pops, and
,regular or decaffeinated coffee or tea. The incorrect food items are items that are allowed on a
full liquid diet. - ✔✔A postoperative client has been placed on a clear liquid diet. The nurse
should provide the client with which items that are allowed to be consumed on this diet? Select
all that apply.
1. Broth
2. Coffee
3. Gelatin
4. Pudding
5. Vegetable juice
6. Pureed vegetables
3Rationale: Smoked foods are high in sodium, which is noted in the correct option. The
remaining options are fruits and vegetables, which are low in sodium. - ✔✔The nurse is
instructing a client with hypertension on the importance of choosing foods low in sodium. The
nurse should teach the client to limit intake of which food?
1. Apples
2. Bananas
3. Smoked sausage
4. Steamed vegetables
3Rationale: Full liquid food items include items such as plain ice cream, sherbet, breakfast
drinks, milk, pudding and custard, soups that are strained, refined cooked cereals, and strained
vegetable juices. A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are relatively transparent. The food
items in the incorrect options are clear liquids. - ✔✔A client who is recovering from surgery has
been advanced from a clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet. The client is looking forward to the
diet change because he has been "bored" with the clear liquid diet. The nurse should offer
which full liquid item to the client?
1. Tea
2. Gelatin
3. Custard
4. Ice pop
, 2Rationale: Citrus fruits and juices are especially high in vitamin C. Bananas are high in
potassium. Meats and dairy products are two food groups that are high in the B vitamins. -
✔✔A client is recovering from abdominal surgery and has a large abdominal wound. The nurse
should encourage the client to eat which food item that is naturally high in vitamin C to
promote wound healing?
1. Milk
2. Oranges
3. Bananas
4. Chicken
4Rationale: The client with cirrhosis needs to consume foods high in thiamine. Thiamine is
present in a variety of foods of plant and animal origin. Legumes are especially rich in this
vitamin. Other good food sources include nuts, whole-grain cereals, and pork. Milk contains
vitamins A, D, and B2. Poultry contains niacin. Broccoli contains vitamins C, E, and K and folic
acid. - ✔✔The nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. To minimize the effects of
the disorder, the nurse teaches the client about foods that are high in thiamine. The nurse
determines that the client has the best understanding of the dietary measures to follow if the
client states an intention to increase the intake of which food?
1. Milk
2. Chicken
3. Broccoli
4. Legumes
2Rationale: When a client begins eating a regular diet after a period of receiving PN, the PN is
decreased gradually. PN that is discontinued abruptly can cause hypoglycemia. Clients often
have anorexia after being without food for some time, and the digestive tract also is not used to
producing the digestive enzymes that will be needed. Gradually decreasing the infusion rate
allows the client to remain adequately nourished during the transition to a normal diet and
prevents the occurrence of hypoglycemia. Even before clients are started on a solid diet, they
are given clear liquids followed by full liquids to further ease the transition. A solution of normal
saline does not provide the glucose needed during the transition of discontinuing the PN and
could cause the client to experience hypoglycemia. - ✔✔A client is being weaned from
parenteral nutrition (PN) and is expected to begin taking solid food today. The ongoing solution
