Clinical Nutritionist CCN General 3

Question 1

A clinical nutritionist counseling a pregnant client in the first trimester should emphasize adequate intake of which nutrient to reduce the risk of neural tube defects?

Accepted Answer

Folate

Answer

Adequate folate (400–800 mcg/day) before and during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Question 2

Which of the following omega-3 fatty acids is considered conditionally essential in preterm infants because they lack sufficient conversion capacity?

Accepted Answer

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Answer

DHA is critical for brain and retinal development; preterm infants cannot convert ALA to DHA efficiently and require a dietary source.

Question 3

In evaluating a patient's 24-hour dietary recall, the clinical nutritionist notes very low consumption of legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Which mineral is most likely inadequate?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium

Answer

Magnesium is abundant in legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and low intake of these foods strongly predicts magnesium inadequacy.

Question 4

The glycemic index (GI) of a food is measured relative to which reference food?

Accepted Answer

Pure glucose or white bread (depending on methodology)

Answer

GI is defined relative to either pure glucose (GI = 100) or white bread (GI = 100) depending on the methodology used by the research group.

Question 5

A CCN working in a clinical setting identifies a patient with elevated homocysteine levels. Supplementation with which group of nutrients is most appropriate to investigate first?

Accepted Answer

Vitamins B6, B12, and folate

Answer

Elevated homocysteine is strongly associated with deficiencies in folate, B6, and B12, which are required for its remethylation and transsulfuration.

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Practice Test

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Practice Test

Clinical Nutritionist CCN General 3