Tag: Nutritional care

Malnutrition affects a significant portion of hospitalized patients, with studies reporting prevalence rates of over 40% in some regions. Nurses play a central and indispensable role in combating this issue by performing a wide array of functions that support, monitor, and manage a patient's nutritional status throughout their care journey.

In hospital settings, a full fluid diet is prescribed to provide more calories, protein, and nutrients than a clear liquid diet, especially when patients cannot consume solid food. This transitional diet is an important step toward recovery for many patients, addressing issues with chewing or swallowing.

According to the World Health Organization, better nutrition is linked to stronger immune systems and a lower risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The integral functions of dietary services are designed to deliver on this promise by providing specialized and safe nutritional care across various institutional settings.

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.

Studies across various countries indicate that a significant proportion of care home residents are malnourished or at risk. This issue is often overlooked, with estimates suggesting that in some regions, nearly one in three or even more of those in institutional care settings face nutritional challenges.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition in all its forms presents a significant threat to global human health, underscoring the critical need for effective advocacy and support. Addressing this challenge often falls to individuals who take on the vital role of a nutrition champion. This article explores the responsibilities, actions, and impact of these influential individuals.

According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis is a leading infectious cause of death globally, with malnutrition being a significant risk factor for progression from latent to active disease. This places a spotlight on the critical question: why do TB patients need more protein?

According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of deaths among children under 5 are linked to undernutrition, highlighting the critical global impact of malnutrition. Nutritional care provides a structured, scientific framework to address these and other dietary-related health issues across the lifespan, from infancy to old age.

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 Montana Disability and Health Program, nutritional standards of care are often structured in levels, with Level 2 focusing on individualized dietary adjustments. This stage is designed for people who require more than a general, adequate diet due to specific health conditions or needs, such as diabetes, allergies, or swallowing difficulties. The implementation of specialized nutritional support at this level is a critical component of comprehensive patient care, ensuring that unique dietary requirements are met for optimal health outcomes.