Clinical Nutritionist CCN Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Clinical Nutritionist CCN facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which nutrient keeps calcium in tact? → D
2. Which clinical tool uses calf circumference as a proxy measure for muscle mass in elderly patients? → Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
3. What is the main clinical consequence of essential fatty acid deficiency in adults? → Scaly dermatitis and impaired wound healing
4. A serum albumin level below which threshold indicates severe hypoalbuminemia associated with malnutrition? → 2.1 g/dL
5. When receiving therapy for a hiatal hernia, peppermint, chocolate, and caffeine should be avoided because: → These foods decrease esophageal sphincter pressure.
6. Which metabolic pathway converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, linking glycolysis to the citric acid cycle? → Pyruvate dehydrogenase reaction
7. What is the primary function of vitamin K in the body? → Carboxylation of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X
8. A patient with gout should be counseled to reduce intake of which substances that increase uric acid production? → High-purine foods (organ meats, shellfish) and alcohol (especially beer)
9. Vitamin D deficiency is most prevalent among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because of: → Combination of malabsorption, reduced sun exposure, and chronic inflammation
10. Celiac disease causes malabsorption primarily by: → Autoimmune destruction of intestinal villi triggered by gluten
11. Which precursor is required for endogenous synthesis of carnitine, essential for mitochondrial fatty acid transport? → Lysine and methionine, with cofactors vitamin C, B6, niacin, and iron
12. Achlorhydria (absent stomach acid) most significantly impairs absorption of which nutrients? → Iron and vitamin B12
13. Which lipoprotein is responsible for transporting cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver? → HDL
14. Obese people are more likely to make mistakes when calculating their resting energy expenditure (REE) because: → Adipose tissue is not as metabolically active as lean body mass.
15. Secretory IgA (sIgA) in the gut primarily functions to: → Neutralize pathogens and prevent their adherence to intestinal mucosa
16. Which vitamin deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults? → Vitamin D
17. A patient presents with bleeding gums, petechiae, and poor wound healing. Which nutrient deficiency is most likely? → Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
18. Which marker is most useful for assessing iron stores in a nutritional evaluation? → Serum ferritin
19. Who has expertise in diets and foods? → Dieticians
20. In cancer cachexia, which metabolic alteration distinguishes it from simple starvation? → Persistent muscle wasting driven by systemic inflammation despite adequate nutrition
21. Which dietary pattern is most consistently associated with greater gut microbial diversity? → Mediterranean diet rich in diverse plant foods and fiber
22. Which anthropometric measurement is most commonly used to assess central adiposity and cardiovascular risk? → Waist circumference
23. Beriberi, caused by thiamine deficiency, has two main forms. Which type is characterized by cardiovascular symptoms and edema? → Wet beriberi
24. Which hormone primarily stimulates lipolysis in adipose tissue during fasting? → Glucagon
25. What is the primary fuel source for the brain under normal fed conditions? → Glucose
26. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by colonic fermentation of fiber primarily serve as the main energy source for: → Colonocytes
27. Except for the following, every suggestion for food treatment in a baby with ketosis is: → High-protein foods
28. What is the primary form of folate used in cell metabolism after conversion from dietary sources? → 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF)
29. What aspect(s) of tropical sprue differs from celiac sprue? → Tropical sprue is usually caused by bacterial contamination.
30. What happens to food carbs when they are cooked? → Helps soften cellulose