AHPC Licensure Examination — Nutrition & Dietetics

Sample Nutrition & Dietetics practice questions

Try these 12 questions from different topics. Open "Show answer" to check yourself and read the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Drug-Nutrient Interactions

   A drug-nutrient interaction (DNI) is best defined as:

   1. A.Any side effect of a drug unrelated to diet
   2. B.A physical, chemical, physiologic, or pathophysiologic relationship between a drug and a nutrient
   3. C.A nutrient deficiency caused only by malabsorption
   4. D.An allergic reaction to a food additive
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   Answer: B. A physical, chemical, physiologic, or pathophysiologic relationship between a drug and a nutrient

   DNIs are physical, chemical, physiologic, or pathophysiologic relationships between a drug and a nutrient that may affect nutrient absorption, metabolism, or excretion, or drug effectiveness and toxicity.

2. Question 2 · Eating Disorders

   Anorexia nervosa is characterised by self-induced weight loss of at least what percentage below expected weight?

   1. A.5%
   2. B.15%
   3. C.30%
   4. D.50%
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   Answer: B. 15%

   Anorexia nervosa is characterised by self-induced weight loss of at least 15% below the expected weight.

3. Question 3 · Hyperuricaemia & Gout

   Gout is fundamentally a disorder of:

   1. A.Calcium metabolism
   2. B.Purine metabolism
   3. C.Lipid metabolism only
   4. D.Vitamin D metabolism
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   Answer: B. Purine metabolism

   Gout is a disorder of purine metabolism manifested by increased serum uric acid concentration (hyperuricaemia) and recurrent attacks of a characteristic acute arthritis.

4. Question 4 · Digestive System Pathologies

   The upper gastrointestinal tract, as described in the lecture, consists of:

   1. A.The small and large intestines
   2. B.The oral cavity, oesophagus, and stomach
   3. C.Only the stomach
   4. D.The liver and pancreas
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   Answer: B. The oral cavity, oesophagus, and stomach

   The upper GI tract consists of the oral cavity (mouth), oesophagus, and stomach; the lower GI tract consists of the intestines.

5. Question 5 · Hepatic Pathologies

   The liver receives blood from two sources. What proportion comes from the portal vein versus the hepatic artery?

   1. A.Portal vein supplies about two thirds; hepatic artery supplies about one third
   2. B.Hepatic artery supplies about two thirds; portal vein supplies about one third
   3. C.They each supply exactly half
   4. D.The liver receives no blood from the portal vein
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   Answer: A. Portal vein supplies about two thirds; hepatic artery supplies about one third

   The hepatic artery supplies approximately one third of the blood (oxygenated, from the aorta), while the portal vein supplies the other two thirds (nutrient-rich but oxygen-poor blood drained from the digestive tract).

6. Question 6 · Enteral & Parenteral Nutrition Support

   Nutrition support is best defined as:

   1. A.Any advice given to a patient about healthy eating
   2. B.The delivery of formulated enteral or parenteral nutrients to maintain and restore nutritional status
   3. C.Only oral supplements given to healthy individuals
   4. D.A surgical procedure to remove part of the gut
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   Answer: B. The delivery of formulated enteral or parenteral nutrients to maintain and restore nutritional status

   Nutrition support is the delivery of formulated enteral or parenteral nutrients to maintain and restore nutritional status, for patients who cannot or will not eat enough orally for more than a few days.

7. Question 7 · Biliary Pathologies

   The gallbladder's main function is to:

   1. A.Produce bile
   2. B.Store and concentrate bile produced by the liver
   3. C.Produce digestive enzymes
   4. D.Filter blood
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   Answer: B. Store and concentrate bile produced by the liver

   The function of the gallbladder is to store and concentrate bile produced by the liver (hepatocytes); the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas together constitute the biliary system.

8. Question 8 · Nutrition Monitoring & Evaluation

   Nutrition Monitoring is best defined as:

   1. A.A one-time-only assessment at first contact with a patient
   2. B.A preplanned review and measurement of selected nutrition care indicators relevant to the patient's defined needs, diagnosis, intervention, and outcomes
   3. C.A process only performed by physicians, never dietitians
   4. D.A method for prescribing medications
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   Answer: B. A preplanned review and measurement of selected nutrition care indicators relevant to the patient's defined needs, diagnosis, intervention, and outcomes

   Nutrition Monitoring is a preplanned review and measurement of selected nutrition care indicators of a patient/client's status relevant to their defined needs, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention, and outcomes.

9. Question 9 · Pulmonary Pathologies & Nutrition

   Tuberculosis is caused by which organism?

   1. A.Mycobacterium tuberculosis
   2. B.Streptococcus pneumoniae
   3. C.Haemophilus influenzae
   4. D.Klebsiella pneumoniae
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   Answer: A. Mycobacterium tuberculosis

   Tuberculosis is a communicable chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a strict aerobe that thrives best in tissues with high oxygen, such as the upper lungs.

10. Question 10 · Malabsorption Syndromes

    Malabsorption is defined as:

    1. A.A disorder involving disruption of digestion and nutrient absorption, which may be single or multiple
    2. B.Excessive absorption of all nutrients
    3. C.A condition limited only to fat intolerance
    4. D.A psychological eating disorder
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    Answer: A. A disorder involving disruption of digestion and nutrient absorption, which may be single or multiple

    Malabsorption denotes disorders in which there is a disruption of digestion and nutrient absorption; impairment can be single or multiple depending on the abnormality, potentially leading to malnutrition and various anaemias.

11. Question 11 · Carbohydrate Metabolism & Diabetes Mellitus

    Lactase deficiency leads to milk intolerance because lactase is the enzyme that:

    1. A.Splits the disaccharide lactose into glucose and galactose
    2. B.Splits sucrose into fructose and glucose
    3. C.Splits maltose into two glucose molecules
    4. D.Converts glucose into glycogen
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    Answer: A. Splits the disaccharide lactose into glucose and galactose

    Lactase is the enzyme that splits the disaccharide lactose into glucose and galactose; a deficiency in this enzyme leads to lactose (milk) intolerance.

12. Question 12 · Malnutrition in Children

    Kwashiorkor is best described as:

    1. A.Severe wasting of body fat and muscle with no edema
    2. B.Severe protein deficiency characterized by edema in the hands, feet, and abdomen
    3. C.An excess of protein intake
    4. D.A vitamin C deficiency disease
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    Answer: B. Severe protein deficiency characterized by edema in the hands, feet, and abdomen

    Kwashiorkor is severe protein deficiency characterized by edema in the hands, feet, and abdomen, one of the two forms of Protein Energy Malnutrition alongside marasmus.