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NASM Nutrition Exam Guide | Sports
Nutrition & Dietary Coaching
Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
Verified by Expert
Exam Structure:
Subject: Sports Nutrition & Dietary Coaching (NASM)
Source: NASM Nutrition Exam Study Guide – Questions and Answers (Verified by
Expert)
Format: Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
1. A Nutrition Coach can provide clients non-medical nutrition
information and behavior guidance. True or False?
Correct Answer: True.
Rationale:
1. Nutrition coaches work within their scope of practice, which excludes
medical nutrition therapy.
2. They provide general healthy eating guidance and behavior change
support.
3. Non-medical information includes food choices, portion sizes, and meal
timing.
4. Behavioral guidance includes goal setting, habit tracking, and motivational
interviewing.
2. Every region requires that a Nutrition Coach work under the
supervision of a Registered Dietitian. True or False?
Correct Answer: False.
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Rationale:
1. Nutrition coaches are not required to work under an RD in most regions.
2. They have their own scope of practice independent of dietitians.
3. Some states may have specific regulations, but this is not universal.
4. Coaches should refer clients to RDs for medical nutrition therapy.
3. What is the appropriate referral for a client with chronic depression
or anxiety?
Correct Answer: Psychologist.
Rationale:
1. Psychologists are mental health professionals who treat depression and
anxiety.
2. Nutrition coaches cannot treat mental health conditions.
3. Refer clients who would benefit from regular nutrition guidance and
accountability.
4. Gain client referrals from psychologists who need nutrition support.
4. What is the appropriate referral for a client with orthopedic issues
or injuries?
Correct Answer: Athletic trainer.
Rationale:
1. Athletic trainers specialize in musculoskeletal injuries and rehabilitation.
2. They provide advice on fitness, injury prevention, and return to activity.
3. Gain athlete referrals who need assistance with weight loss or nutrition
accountability.
4. Nutrition coaches support recovery with appropriate fueling.
5. What is the appropriate referral for a client with sudden onset of
digestive issues?
Correct Answer: Internal medicine doctor (primary care physician).
Rationale:
1. New digestive symptoms require medical evaluation to rule out pathology.
2. Internal medicine doctors can order diagnostic tests (endoscopy, labs).
3. Gain client referrals who need detailed education on sound nutritional
practices.
4. After medical clearance, a nutrition coach can support dietary changes.
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6. What is the appropriate referral for a client with new-onset
pregnancy?
Correct Answer: Obstetrician.
Rationale:
1. Obstetricians manage pregnancy care and nutrition needs.
2. Gain referrals for clients who are postpartum and would like to lose weight.
3. Nutrition coaches can support general healthy eating but not treat
pregnancy complications.
4. Always defer to obstetrician for medical advice during pregnancy.
7. What is the appropriate referral for a client needing nutritional
guidance for ultra-endurance events?
Correct Answer: Registered Dietitian (RD).
Rationale:
1. RDs are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy and sports nutrition.
2. Ultra-endurance events require advanced nutrition periodization.
3. Gain client referrals for nutrition support and accountability from RDs.
4. Nutrition coaches can support general fueling but refer complex cases.
8. A client complains of acute knee pain with increased running
distance. Who should they see?
Correct Answer: Athletic trainer.
Rationale:
1. Acute knee pain from running suggests a musculoskeletal injury.
2. Athletic trainers assess and treat sports-related injuries.
3. Physical therapists are also appropriate.
4. Refer for evaluation before continuing the exercise program.
9. A client is preoccupied, bordering on obsessed, with weight loss and
daily nutritional intake. Who should they see?
Correct Answer: Psychologist.
Rationale:
1. Preoccupation with weight loss and obsession with intake may indicate an
eating disorder.
2. Psychologists specialize in disordered eating and body image issues.
3. Nutrition coaches should refer without attempting to treat.
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4. Eating disorders require multidisciplinary care (psychologist, RD,
physician).
10. A client complains of periods of constipation alternating with
diarrhea. Who should they see?
Correct Answer: Internal medicine doctor.
Rationale:
1. Alternating constipation and diarrhea may indicate IBS, IBD, or other GI
pathology.
2. Medical evaluation is needed before dietary intervention.
3. Rule out organic causes (celiac disease, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis).
4. After diagnosis, a nutrition coach can support dietary management.
11. A client has been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Who
should they see?
Correct Answer: Registered Dietitian.
Rationale:
1. Medical nutrition therapy for diabetes is within the scope of RDs.
2. RDs provide carbohydrate counting, insulin adjustment guidance, and meal
planning.
3. Nutrition coaches can support adherence after RD establishes the plan.
4. Diabetes requires coordination with physician and diabetes educator.
12. A client has been lactating and recently complaining of low energy.
Who should they see?
Correct Answer: Obstetrician.
Rationale:
1. Low energy in a lactating mother may indicate postpartum issues.
2. Obstetricians can assess for anemia, thyroid dysfunction, or depression.
3. Lactation requires adequate calorie and nutrient intake.
4. Refer for medical evaluation before providing nutrition advice.
13. What are enzymes?
Correct Answer: Protein-based structures that catalyze chemical reactions.
Rationale:
1. Enzymes speed up chemical reactions without being consumed.
2. Most enzymes are proteins (some RNA ribozymes).
NASM Nutrition Exam Guide | Sports
Nutrition & Dietary Coaching
Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
Verified by Expert
Exam Structure:
Subject: Sports Nutrition & Dietary Coaching (NASM)
Source: NASM Nutrition Exam Study Guide – Questions and Answers (Verified by
Expert)
Format: Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
1. A Nutrition Coach can provide clients non-medical nutrition
information and behavior guidance. True or False?
Correct Answer: True.
Rationale:
1. Nutrition coaches work within their scope of practice, which excludes
medical nutrition therapy.
2. They provide general healthy eating guidance and behavior change
support.
3. Non-medical information includes food choices, portion sizes, and meal
timing.
4. Behavioral guidance includes goal setting, habit tracking, and motivational
interviewing.
2. Every region requires that a Nutrition Coach work under the
supervision of a Registered Dietitian. True or False?
Correct Answer: False.
, 2|Page
Rationale:
1. Nutrition coaches are not required to work under an RD in most regions.
2. They have their own scope of practice independent of dietitians.
3. Some states may have specific regulations, but this is not universal.
4. Coaches should refer clients to RDs for medical nutrition therapy.
3. What is the appropriate referral for a client with chronic depression
or anxiety?
Correct Answer: Psychologist.
Rationale:
1. Psychologists are mental health professionals who treat depression and
anxiety.
2. Nutrition coaches cannot treat mental health conditions.
3. Refer clients who would benefit from regular nutrition guidance and
accountability.
4. Gain client referrals from psychologists who need nutrition support.
4. What is the appropriate referral for a client with orthopedic issues
or injuries?
Correct Answer: Athletic trainer.
Rationale:
1. Athletic trainers specialize in musculoskeletal injuries and rehabilitation.
2. They provide advice on fitness, injury prevention, and return to activity.
3. Gain athlete referrals who need assistance with weight loss or nutrition
accountability.
4. Nutrition coaches support recovery with appropriate fueling.
5. What is the appropriate referral for a client with sudden onset of
digestive issues?
Correct Answer: Internal medicine doctor (primary care physician).
Rationale:
1. New digestive symptoms require medical evaluation to rule out pathology.
2. Internal medicine doctors can order diagnostic tests (endoscopy, labs).
3. Gain client referrals who need detailed education on sound nutritional
practices.
4. After medical clearance, a nutrition coach can support dietary changes.
, 3|Page
6. What is the appropriate referral for a client with new-onset
pregnancy?
Correct Answer: Obstetrician.
Rationale:
1. Obstetricians manage pregnancy care and nutrition needs.
2. Gain referrals for clients who are postpartum and would like to lose weight.
3. Nutrition coaches can support general healthy eating but not treat
pregnancy complications.
4. Always defer to obstetrician for medical advice during pregnancy.
7. What is the appropriate referral for a client needing nutritional
guidance for ultra-endurance events?
Correct Answer: Registered Dietitian (RD).
Rationale:
1. RDs are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy and sports nutrition.
2. Ultra-endurance events require advanced nutrition periodization.
3. Gain client referrals for nutrition support and accountability from RDs.
4. Nutrition coaches can support general fueling but refer complex cases.
8. A client complains of acute knee pain with increased running
distance. Who should they see?
Correct Answer: Athletic trainer.
Rationale:
1. Acute knee pain from running suggests a musculoskeletal injury.
2. Athletic trainers assess and treat sports-related injuries.
3. Physical therapists are also appropriate.
4. Refer for evaluation before continuing the exercise program.
9. A client is preoccupied, bordering on obsessed, with weight loss and
daily nutritional intake. Who should they see?
Correct Answer: Psychologist.
Rationale:
1. Preoccupation with weight loss and obsession with intake may indicate an
eating disorder.
2. Psychologists specialize in disordered eating and body image issues.
3. Nutrition coaches should refer without attempting to treat.
, 4|Page
4. Eating disorders require multidisciplinary care (psychologist, RD,
physician).
10. A client complains of periods of constipation alternating with
diarrhea. Who should they see?
Correct Answer: Internal medicine doctor.
Rationale:
1. Alternating constipation and diarrhea may indicate IBS, IBD, or other GI
pathology.
2. Medical evaluation is needed before dietary intervention.
3. Rule out organic causes (celiac disease, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis).
4. After diagnosis, a nutrition coach can support dietary management.
11. A client has been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Who
should they see?
Correct Answer: Registered Dietitian.
Rationale:
1. Medical nutrition therapy for diabetes is within the scope of RDs.
2. RDs provide carbohydrate counting, insulin adjustment guidance, and meal
planning.
3. Nutrition coaches can support adherence after RD establishes the plan.
4. Diabetes requires coordination with physician and diabetes educator.
12. A client has been lactating and recently complaining of low energy.
Who should they see?
Correct Answer: Obstetrician.
Rationale:
1. Low energy in a lactating mother may indicate postpartum issues.
2. Obstetricians can assess for anemia, thyroid dysfunction, or depression.
3. Lactation requires adequate calorie and nutrient intake.
4. Refer for medical evaluation before providing nutrition advice.
13. What are enzymes?
Correct Answer: Protein-based structures that catalyze chemical reactions.
Rationale:
1. Enzymes speed up chemical reactions without being consumed.
2. Most enzymes are proteins (some RNA ribozymes).
