RDN Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. An RDN working for a pharmaceutical or medical nutrition company developing clinical evidence for products is in which career sector? → Industry/corporate nutrition
2. An RDN working in a hospital notices a patient's diet order appears medically contraindicated. What is the appropriate first action? → Consult with the prescribing physician before making changes
3. Which performance improvement tool involves identifying the root cause of a problem using a diagram that resembles a fish skeleton? → Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram
4. In the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model, which phase involves identifying predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors? → Phase 3: Educational and ecological assessment
5. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, at what age can whole cow's milk be introduced as the primary beverage (replacing formula/breast milk)? → 12 months
6. A food service manager discovers that an employee has been falsifying temperature logs. Which is the FIRST appropriate step? → Document the findings and follow progressive disciplinary procedures
7. Which enzyme is responsible for the rate-limiting step in fatty acid synthesis? → Acetyl-CoA carboxylase
8. Selenium is an essential component of which enzyme critical for thyroid hormone metabolism? → Iodothyronine deiodinase
9. Which of the following represents a legitimate advanced practice role for an RDN with appropriate training? → Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests relevant to nutrition status
10. Which practice setting employs RDNs primarily to assess and treat eating disorders? → Eating disorder treatment centers
11. ACEND stands for which accrediting body relevant to dietetics education? → Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
12. According to FDA guidelines, what is the maximum time ready-to-eat refrigerated foods can be held after preparation before they must be discarded? → 7 days
13. How does the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase contribute to blood glucose homeostasis? → It dephosphorylates glucose-6-phosphate, allowing glucose to be released into blood
14. Which of the following is NOT a competency domain on the CDR's Professional Development Portfolio framework? → Financial Management and Business Development
15. Which lipoprotein is primarily responsible for transporting dietary fat from the intestine to peripheral tissues? → Chylomicrons
16. An RDN interested in influencing federal food and nutrition policy would most likely pursue a career in which setting? → Government or public health agency
17. In epidemiology, which measure describes the proportion of new cases of a condition in a population over a specific time period? → Incidence rate
18. A hospital RDN is asked to develop a policy for nutrition screening of all inpatients. Which resource would be MOST appropriate to consult first? → The Joint Commission standards and current evidence-based clinical practice guidelines
19. Which amino acid becomes conditionally essential during critical illness and severe physiologic stress? → Glutamine
20. A patient post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is at highest risk for deficiency of which nutrient due to bypass of the primary absorption site? → Iron
21. Which mycotoxin, produced by Aspergillus molds, is a potent hepatocarcinogen and a significant food safety concern in corn and peanuts? → Aflatoxin
22. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which obligation does a food service employer have regarding employees with disabilities? → Make reasonable accommodations unless it causes undue hardship
23. A postmenopausal woman's DEXA scan shows a T-score of −2.7. What is her diagnosis, and what calcium intake does she need daily? → Osteoporosis; 1200 mg/day
24. Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'practice to the full extent of the RDN credential'? → Applying advanced clinical skills and leadership roles when competent to do so
25. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is BEST suited for which of the following research purposes? → Ranking individuals by dietary exposure in epidemiological studies
26. What is the difference between generic and brand-name drugs? → Generic drugs have the same active ingredient but different name and typically lower cost
27. A community RDN is asked to screen elementary school children for obesity as part of a public health initiative. Is this within scope? → Yes, conducting nutritional screenings and assessments is within RDN scope
28. In a single-blind clinical nutrition trial, which party is unaware of the group assignment? → Only the participants do not know their group assignment
29. Which degree is the minimum requirement to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)? → Bachelor’s Degree
30. Which of the following is an example of food service management within the RDN scope of practice? → Developing menus that meet nutritional and budgetary requirements for institutions