NCLEX-Style Questions: Nutrition for Women
1. A nurse is providing nutritional counseling to a 25-year-old woman who is trying to
conceive. Which of the following nutrients should the nurse emphasize to help prevent
neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Folic acid
C. Calcium
D. Omega-3 fatty acids
Answer: B. Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid is essential for preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The
CDC recommends that women of childbearing age consume 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily.
2. A pregnant woman in her second trimester asks how much additional daily caloric
intake is recommended. The nurse’s best response is:
A. 200 kcal/day
B. 340 kcal/day
C. 450 kcal/day
D. 500 kcal/day
Answer: B. 340 kcal/day
Rationale: During the second trimester, an additional 340 kcal/day is recommended. By the
third trimester, the recommendation increases to 450-500 kcal/day.
3. A nurse is counseling a pregnant woman with iron-deficiency anemia. The nurse should
instruct the client to consume which food along with her iron supplement to enhance
absorption?
A. Whole milk
B. Orange juice
C. Black tea
D. Yogurt
Answer: B. Orange juice
Rationale: Vitamin C (found in orange juice) enhances iron absorption. Dairy and tea inhibit
iron absorption due to calcium and tannins, respectively.
4. A woman who is breastfeeding asks how much additional daily caloric intake she needs.
The correct response is:
A. 180 kcal/day
,B. 330 kcal/day
C. 450 kcal/day
D. 500 kcal/day
Answer: D. 500 kcal/day
Rationale: Lactating women require an additional 500 kcal/day to support milk production.
5. Which of the following dietary recommendations is appropriate for a woman
experiencing menopause?
A. Increase calcium and vitamin D intake
B. Consume high amounts of caffeine
C. Increase intake of processed foods
D. Avoid phytoestrogens
Answer: A. Increase calcium and vitamin D intake
Rationale: Estrogen decline during menopause increases the risk for osteoporosis. Calcium
(1,200 mg/day) and vitamin D help maintain bone density.
6. A nurse is educating a patient about omega-3 fatty acids. Which food should the nurse
recommend as the best source?
A. Chicken
B. Salmon
C. White rice
D. Whole milk
Answer: B. Salmon
Rationale: Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids,
which support cardiovascular health.
7. A nurse is teaching a client with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) about diet
modifications. Which recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Reduce carbohydrate intake and consume more lean proteins
B. Increase simple sugars for energy
C. Avoid all forms of fat
D. Increase sodium intake
Answer: A. Reduce carbohydrate intake and consume more lean proteins
Rationale: Women with PCOS often experience insulin resistance and benefit from a low-
glycemic diet with controlled carbohydrates and lean proteins.
, 8. A nurse is assessing a woman with iron-deficiency anemia. Which finding is consistent
with this condition?
A. Flushed skin
B. Pale conjunctiva
C. Hypertension
D. Increased energy levels
Answer: B. Pale conjunctiva
Rationale: Pale conjunctiva and fatigue are common signs of iron-deficiency anemia due to
decreased oxygen transport.
9. A nurse is educating a postpartum client about foods high in folic acid. Which food
should the nurse recommend?
A. White bread
B. Spinach
C. Whole milk
D. Chicken breast
Answer: B. Spinach
Rationale: Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale), legumes, and fortified cereals are rich in folic acid,
essential for red blood cell formation and fetal development.
10. A nurse is teaching a woman about heart disease prevention. Which dietary
recommendation is appropriate?
A. Increase trans fat intake
B. Increase fiber intake
C. Consume high-sodium processed foods
D. Reduce whole grain intake
Answer: B. Increase fiber intake
Rationale: A high-fiber diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) helps reduce cholesterol and
lowers cardiovascular disease risk.
NCLEX-Style Questions: Nutrition for Women (Continued)
Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) Questions
1. A nurse is providing nutritional counseling to a 25-year-old woman who is trying to
conceive. Which of the following nutrients should the nurse emphasize to help prevent
neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Folic acid
C. Calcium
D. Omega-3 fatty acids
Answer: B. Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid is essential for preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The
CDC recommends that women of childbearing age consume 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily.
2. A pregnant woman in her second trimester asks how much additional daily caloric
intake is recommended. The nurse’s best response is:
A. 200 kcal/day
B. 340 kcal/day
C. 450 kcal/day
D. 500 kcal/day
Answer: B. 340 kcal/day
Rationale: During the second trimester, an additional 340 kcal/day is recommended. By the
third trimester, the recommendation increases to 450-500 kcal/day.
3. A nurse is counseling a pregnant woman with iron-deficiency anemia. The nurse should
instruct the client to consume which food along with her iron supplement to enhance
absorption?
A. Whole milk
B. Orange juice
C. Black tea
D. Yogurt
Answer: B. Orange juice
Rationale: Vitamin C (found in orange juice) enhances iron absorption. Dairy and tea inhibit
iron absorption due to calcium and tannins, respectively.
4. A woman who is breastfeeding asks how much additional daily caloric intake she needs.
The correct response is:
A. 180 kcal/day
,B. 330 kcal/day
C. 450 kcal/day
D. 500 kcal/day
Answer: D. 500 kcal/day
Rationale: Lactating women require an additional 500 kcal/day to support milk production.
5. Which of the following dietary recommendations is appropriate for a woman
experiencing menopause?
A. Increase calcium and vitamin D intake
B. Consume high amounts of caffeine
C. Increase intake of processed foods
D. Avoid phytoestrogens
Answer: A. Increase calcium and vitamin D intake
Rationale: Estrogen decline during menopause increases the risk for osteoporosis. Calcium
(1,200 mg/day) and vitamin D help maintain bone density.
6. A nurse is educating a patient about omega-3 fatty acids. Which food should the nurse
recommend as the best source?
A. Chicken
B. Salmon
C. White rice
D. Whole milk
Answer: B. Salmon
Rationale: Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids,
which support cardiovascular health.
7. A nurse is teaching a client with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) about diet
modifications. Which recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Reduce carbohydrate intake and consume more lean proteins
B. Increase simple sugars for energy
C. Avoid all forms of fat
D. Increase sodium intake
Answer: A. Reduce carbohydrate intake and consume more lean proteins
Rationale: Women with PCOS often experience insulin resistance and benefit from a low-
glycemic diet with controlled carbohydrates and lean proteins.
, 8. A nurse is assessing a woman with iron-deficiency anemia. Which finding is consistent
with this condition?
A. Flushed skin
B. Pale conjunctiva
C. Hypertension
D. Increased energy levels
Answer: B. Pale conjunctiva
Rationale: Pale conjunctiva and fatigue are common signs of iron-deficiency anemia due to
decreased oxygen transport.
9. A nurse is educating a postpartum client about foods high in folic acid. Which food
should the nurse recommend?
A. White bread
B. Spinach
C. Whole milk
D. Chicken breast
Answer: B. Spinach
Rationale: Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale), legumes, and fortified cereals are rich in folic acid,
essential for red blood cell formation and fetal development.
10. A nurse is teaching a woman about heart disease prevention. Which dietary
recommendation is appropriate?
A. Increase trans fat intake
B. Increase fiber intake
C. Consume high-sodium processed foods
D. Reduce whole grain intake
Answer: B. Increase fiber intake
Rationale: A high-fiber diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) helps reduce cholesterol and
lowers cardiovascular disease risk.
NCLEX-Style Questions: Nutrition for Women (Continued)
Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) Questions
