RD Exam Nutrition Assessment and Diagnosis Practice Questions
Original RD exam practice questions on screening, assessment and nutrition diagnosis, written to CDR’s outlines
145 questions across all nine areas in 3 hours, with a score for nutrition assessment and every domain so you know where you stand.
Free nutrition assessment drillA 10-year-old's BMI-for-age is at the 90th percentile. How is this classified?
Screening, Assessment and Nutrition Diagnosis on the RD exam
Assessment and diagnosis are the first two steps of the Nutrition Care Process and a large share of both outlines. Expect calculations, lab interpretation and physical exam findings, then the right PES statement.
- On the outline
- Through 2026: Domain II, Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups (topics A and B). From 2027: Domain III, Human Nutrition and Medical Nutrition Therapy (topics B and C)
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 56 nutrition assessment questions, untimed, an explanation after every answer; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What screening, assessment and nutrition diagnosis questions test
- Screening tools (MST, MUST, MNA-SF, NRS-2002) and screening versus assessment
- IBW (Hamwi), BMI, percent weight change, adjusted weight, and energy and fluid estimates
- Academy/ASPEN and GLIM malnutrition criteria and the nutrition-focused physical exam
- Labs in context: albumin and inflammation, iron studies, BUN and creatinine, glucose and A1C
- Drug-nutrient interactions (warfarin, MAOIs, levothyroxine, phenytoin, grapefruit) and writing PES statements
Sit the full exam under the real clock
145 questions across all nine areas in 3 hours, with a score for nutrition assessment and every domain so you know where you stand.
Free nutrition assessment drillHow to study it
- Learn the weight-loss and intake thresholds in the malnutrition criteria by heart.
- Write three PES statements a day from case studies and check problem, etiology and signs.
- Take the nutrition assessment drill, then the calculations drill.
Common questions
Where is nutrition assessment on the RD exam outline?
On the 2022-2026 outline (exams through December 31, 2026) it is in Domain II, Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups (topics A and B). On the 2027-2031 outline (exams from January 1, 2027) it is in Domain III, Human Nutrition and Medical Nutrition Therapy (topics B and C). CDR publishes percentages for domains, not for individual topics.
Is albumin still used to assess malnutrition?
No. ASPEN and the Academy advise against using albumin or prealbumin as markers of nutrition status, because inflammation lowers them. Use weight history, intake, the physical exam and function.
145 questions across all nine areas in 3 hours, with a score for nutrition assessment and every domain so you know where you stand.
Free nutrition assessment drillMore RD exam practice
- 2027 outline
- Food Science and Food Composition
- Human Nutrition and Life-Cycle Needs
- Nutrition Education and Counseling
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Medical Nutrition Therapy and Nutrition Support
- Community and Public Health Nutrition
- Management, Ethics and Professional Practice
- Foodservice Systems and Food Safety
- Practice exam, 2022-2026 outline (145 questions, 3 hours)
- Practice exam, 2027 outline (145 questions, 3 hours)
- RD exam calculations drill
Sources
- CDR: RD Exam Candidate Handbook 2026 (format, timing, scoring, fee, retest wait)
- CDR: RD Exam Overview (lifetime attempt limit from 2027, test bundle)
- CDR: Study resources, both test specifications, the 2022 vs 2027 comparison and CDR practice questions
- CDR: 2027-2031 RD Test Specifications and Expanded Study Outline (PDF)
- CDR: RD Examination Eligibility Requirements
- CDR: RD Exam Pass/Fail Statistics
- CDR: Exam FAQ (four options, no review, calculator)
- CDR: Professional Development Portfolio (75 CPEUs every 5 years)
Original practice questions for exam preparation, written to CDR’s 2022-2026 and 2027-2031 RD test specifications, not CDR exam questions. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or Pearson VUE. RD and RDN are credentials of CDR and marks of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.