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NASM Nutrition Coaching Exam | Nutrition
Science, Behavior Change, Client Coaching
Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
Verified by Expert
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nutrition Coaching (NASM)
Source: NASM Nutrition Coaching Exam Study – Verified by Expert
Format: Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
1. Where might a Nutrition Coach find reputable information on
recent dietary guidelines?
Correct Answer: Government-funded agencies
Rationale:
1. Government agencies (USDA, HHS, CDC, NIH) provide evidence-based,
unbiased guidelines.
2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans is updated every 5 years by
USDA/HHS.
3. Government sources are peer-reviewed and publicly funded, reducing
commercial bias.
4. Examples: ChooseMyPlate.gov, DietaryGuidelines.gov, PubMed (NIH).
2. A client confides in the Nutrition Coach about chronic fatigue.
Which client conversation would be grounds for a referral to a
licensed healthcare professional?
Correct Answer: Chronic fatigue
Rationale:
1. Chronic fatigue may indicate medical conditions (anemia, thyroid disorder,
depression, sleep apnea, cancer).
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2. Nutrition coaches cannot diagnose or treat medical causes of fatigue.
3. Referral to physician or licensed healthcare provider is required for
evaluation.
4. Coaches can support nutrition once medical cause is managed.
3. Which of the following can a Nutrition Coach provide?
Correct Answer: Nutritional advice and behavioral modification
Rationale:
1. Nutrition coaches provide general healthy eating guidance and behavior
change support.
2. Behavioral modification includes goal setting, habit tracking, and
motivational interviewing.
3. Coaches cannot diagnose, treat diseases, or prescribe therapeutic diets.
4. Scope excludes medical nutrition therapy (reserved for registered
dietitians).
4. According to the scope of practice for a Nutrition Coach, which is an
example of an appropriate resource for determining daily caloric
intake?
Correct Answer: Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Rationale:
1. Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides evidence-based calorie
recommendations by age, sex, and activity level.
2. Published by USDA/HHS, it is a reputable, non-commercial source.
3. Coaches can use these guidelines as a starting point for client education.
4. Individualization still required based on client goals, health status, and
response.
5. According to the SCOFF eating disorder assessment, what is the
minimum number of positive answers which might indicate an eating
disorder?
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale:
1. SCOFF questions: Sick (make yourself sick), Control (loss of control), One
stone (14 lb loss in 3 months), Fat (belief you are fat), Food (food dominates
life).
2. Two or more “yes” answers suggest a possible eating disorder.
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3. Sensitivity 84-100%, specificity 80-90% for anorexia and bulimia.
4. Positive screen requires referral to mental health professional.
6. A Nutrition Coach is sitting down with a new client for her initial
evaluation. She noted on her Health History Questionnaire that she
has diabetes and she has trouble keeping her blood glucose
controlled. What is the best course of action?
Correct Answer: Refer her to a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE).
Rationale:
1. Uncontrolled diabetes requires medical management and medical nutrition
therapy.
2. CDE (often a registered dietitian or nurse) specializes in diabetes education
and insulin adjustment.
3. Nutrition coaches cannot prescribe insulin or adjust diabetes medications.
4. Coach may support general healthy eating after CDE establishes medical
plan.
7. A client confides in the Nutrition Coach about daily panic attacks.
Which client conversation would be grounds for a referral to a
licensed healthcare professional?
Correct Answer: Daily panic attacks
Rationale:
1. Daily panic attacks may indicate panic disorder, generalized anxiety, or
other mental health condition.
2. Requires evaluation by psychiatrist, psychologist, or primary care provider.
3. Nutrition coaches are not mental health professionals and cannot treat
anxiety disorders.
4. Coaches should refer and avoid providing psychological counseling.
8. Which statement is within the scope of practice for a Nutrition
Coach?
Correct Answer: Recommend the client discuss supplement usage and
dosing with their pharmacist or physician.
Rationale:
1. Coaches can suggest that clients consult qualified professionals about
supplements.
2. Coaches cannot prescribe, recommend specific doses, or diagnose
NASM Nutrition Coaching Exam | Nutrition
Science, Behavior Change, Client Coaching
Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
Verified by Expert
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nutrition Coaching (NASM)
Source: NASM Nutrition Coaching Exam Study – Verified by Expert
Format: Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
1. Where might a Nutrition Coach find reputable information on
recent dietary guidelines?
Correct Answer: Government-funded agencies
Rationale:
1. Government agencies (USDA, HHS, CDC, NIH) provide evidence-based,
unbiased guidelines.
2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans is updated every 5 years by
USDA/HHS.
3. Government sources are peer-reviewed and publicly funded, reducing
commercial bias.
4. Examples: ChooseMyPlate.gov, DietaryGuidelines.gov, PubMed (NIH).
2. A client confides in the Nutrition Coach about chronic fatigue.
Which client conversation would be grounds for a referral to a
licensed healthcare professional?
Correct Answer: Chronic fatigue
Rationale:
1. Chronic fatigue may indicate medical conditions (anemia, thyroid disorder,
depression, sleep apnea, cancer).
, 2|Page
2. Nutrition coaches cannot diagnose or treat medical causes of fatigue.
3. Referral to physician or licensed healthcare provider is required for
evaluation.
4. Coaches can support nutrition once medical cause is managed.
3. Which of the following can a Nutrition Coach provide?
Correct Answer: Nutritional advice and behavioral modification
Rationale:
1. Nutrition coaches provide general healthy eating guidance and behavior
change support.
2. Behavioral modification includes goal setting, habit tracking, and
motivational interviewing.
3. Coaches cannot diagnose, treat diseases, or prescribe therapeutic diets.
4. Scope excludes medical nutrition therapy (reserved for registered
dietitians).
4. According to the scope of practice for a Nutrition Coach, which is an
example of an appropriate resource for determining daily caloric
intake?
Correct Answer: Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Rationale:
1. Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides evidence-based calorie
recommendations by age, sex, and activity level.
2. Published by USDA/HHS, it is a reputable, non-commercial source.
3. Coaches can use these guidelines as a starting point for client education.
4. Individualization still required based on client goals, health status, and
response.
5. According to the SCOFF eating disorder assessment, what is the
minimum number of positive answers which might indicate an eating
disorder?
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale:
1. SCOFF questions: Sick (make yourself sick), Control (loss of control), One
stone (14 lb loss in 3 months), Fat (belief you are fat), Food (food dominates
life).
2. Two or more “yes” answers suggest a possible eating disorder.
, 3|Page
3. Sensitivity 84-100%, specificity 80-90% for anorexia and bulimia.
4. Positive screen requires referral to mental health professional.
6. A Nutrition Coach is sitting down with a new client for her initial
evaluation. She noted on her Health History Questionnaire that she
has diabetes and she has trouble keeping her blood glucose
controlled. What is the best course of action?
Correct Answer: Refer her to a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE).
Rationale:
1. Uncontrolled diabetes requires medical management and medical nutrition
therapy.
2. CDE (often a registered dietitian or nurse) specializes in diabetes education
and insulin adjustment.
3. Nutrition coaches cannot prescribe insulin or adjust diabetes medications.
4. Coach may support general healthy eating after CDE establishes medical
plan.
7. A client confides in the Nutrition Coach about daily panic attacks.
Which client conversation would be grounds for a referral to a
licensed healthcare professional?
Correct Answer: Daily panic attacks
Rationale:
1. Daily panic attacks may indicate panic disorder, generalized anxiety, or
other mental health condition.
2. Requires evaluation by psychiatrist, psychologist, or primary care provider.
3. Nutrition coaches are not mental health professionals and cannot treat
anxiety disorders.
4. Coaches should refer and avoid providing psychological counseling.
8. Which statement is within the scope of practice for a Nutrition
Coach?
Correct Answer: Recommend the client discuss supplement usage and
dosing with their pharmacist or physician.
Rationale:
1. Coaches can suggest that clients consult qualified professionals about
supplements.
2. Coaches cannot prescribe, recommend specific doses, or diagnose
