Tag: Interdisciplinary care

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six out of every ten adults in the United States have at least one chronic disease, highlighting the critical need for comprehensive healthcare teams that include nutrition experts. The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) is a vital member of this team, translating complex nutrition science into practical guidance for patients with a wide range of conditions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition affects an estimated 20% to 60% of long-term care residents, highlighting the critical nature of nutritional monitoring in patient care. When a patient fails to meet their nutritional goals, the nurse plays a pivotal role in re-evaluating the plan of care and implementing new strategies for improvement.

In a 2010 position paper, the American Dietetic Association stated that medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a cost-effective and essential component of medical treatment, even when pharmacotherapy is necessary. The position emphasizes a collaborative, team-based approach to care for patients receiving medication for various conditions.

According to a scoping review published in the journal *Nurse Education Today*, nutritional care has long been recognized as a vital component of nursing practice, with origins tracing back over 160 years to Florence Nightingale. This foundational understanding confirms that **is nutrition a nursing concept** is a relevant question for modern practice, affirming its essential role beyond a specialized field.

According to the National Institutes of Health, proper nutrition is a cornerstone of health maintenance, disease prevention, and recovery. Understanding what is the responsibility of healthcare professionals in recommending dietary modifications to their patients is paramount to improving long-term health outcomes and ensuring personalized, patient-centered care.