Tag: Nursing fundamentals

According to the NCBI, cultural and religious beliefs significantly influence food choices, preparation, and consumption patterns. Therefore, it is essential for a nurse to assess the dietary beliefs of clients to provide personalized, respectful, and effective healthcare that improves patient outcomes.

According to the World Health Organization, up to 60% of hospitalized patients suffer from malnutrition, a condition nurses are uniquely positioned to address. The relationship between nutrition and nursing is fundamental, with nurses acting as the first line of defense in identifying, monitoring, and managing patients' nutritional needs for successful recovery.

According to the National Institutes of Health, malnutrition can be associated with increased medical costs and heightened demand for medical services. A nutritional assessment is a foundational element of holistic patient care in nursing, essential for identifying nutritional imbalances and preventing the serious complications that can arise from them.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Florence Nightingale recognized the critical role of diet in patient care over 160 years ago. This historical perspective highlights that the definition of food in nursing extends far beyond a simple meal, encompassing any substance, delivered by any method, that provides essential nutrients to a patient. Nurses play a crucial role in assessing, managing, and advocating for patients' nutritional needs to promote healing and well-being.

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, malnutrition affects an estimated 31 million patients globally each year in healthcare settings. A core component of holistic patient care, understanding what is nutritional status in nursing is essential for identifying nutritional risks, planning effective interventions, and improving overall health outcomes.