3.3.2. Nutrition Care Process

Nutrition Care Process

A process designed to improve the consistency and quality of individualized care for patients/clients and the predictability of patient/client outcomes, rather than standardizing nutrition care for every patient/client.

Nutrition Care Process

A systematic approach to providing high-quality nutrition care, visually summarized by the Nutrition Care Model.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

The professional organization from which the Nutrition Care Process was adopted, formerly known as the American Dietetic Association.

Evidence-based care

The NCP takes into account the patient's/client's needs and values and uses the best evidence available to make decisions about nutrition care.

Nutrition Care Process Terminologies (NCPT)

The technical working group that developed standardized language for nutrition care created this terminology.

Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring and Evaluation

The four distinct but interrelated steps of the Nutrition Care Process.

Nutrition Assessment

The first step of the NCP involving the collection, verification, and interpretation of data needed to identify nutrition-related problems, their causes, and significance.

Nutrition Diagnosis

The second step of the NCP involving the identification and description of a specific nutrition problem that can be resolved or improved through nutrition intervention.

Nutrition Intervention

The third step of the NCP involving actions intended to resolve or improve the nutrition diagnosis or nutrition problem.

Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation

The fourth step of the NCP involving determining and measuring the amount of progress made and whether nutrition-related goals or expected outcomes are being achieved.

Nutrition Assessment

The first step of the NCP whose purpose is to identify, verify, and interpret data needed to identify nutrition-related problems, their causes, and significance.

Monitoring and evaluation

Nutrition professionals use the same information gathered during assessment to determine changes in nutritional status and the efficacy of nutrition interventions.

Food and Nutrition Database (FND)

A source of food and nutrition assessment data specifically used for dietary intake information.

Nutrition Diagnosis

The second step of the NCP whose purpose is to identify and describe a specific nutrition problem that can be resolved or improved through treatment/nutrition intervention by a food and nutrition professional.

Nutrition Diagnosis

A nutrition diagnosis such as inconsistent carbohydrate intake differs from a medical diagnosis such as diabetes because it identifies a problem that can be addressed through nutrition intervention.

PES statement

The standardized format used to express a nutrition diagnosis.

P – Problem

In the PES format, the component that identifies the specific nutrition diagnosis.

E – Etiology

In the PES format, the component identifying the factor responsible for or contributing to the nutrition problem.

S – Signs/Symptoms

In the PES format, the component containing the indicators or data used to determine that the nutrition diagnosis exists.

Related to

The phrase connecting the problem (P) to the etiology (E) in a PES statement.

As evidenced by

The phrase connecting the etiology (E) to the signs/symptoms (S) in a PES statement.

Inadequate caloric intake

In the example “Inadequate caloric intake related to loss of appetite as evidenced by computed caloric adequacy of 65%,” the nutrition problem.

Loss of appetite

In the same example, the cause or contributing factor of the nutrition problem.

Caloric adequacy of 65%

In the same example, the evidence demonstrating the presence of the nutrition problem.

Nutrition Intervention

The third step of the NCP whose purpose is to resolve or improve the nutrition diagnosis or nutrition problem by providing, prescribing, or delivering a specific diet or meal plan tailored to the patient's/client's needs.

Nutrition Intervention

Nutrition intervention strategies are selected to change nutritional intake, nutrition-related knowledge or behavior, environmental conditions, or access to supportive care and services.

Nutrition education

The intervention domain involving the formal process of instructing or teaching nutrition-related information.

Nutrition counseling

The intervention domain involving a supportive process characterized by a collaborative counselor-patient relationship to establish food and nutrition priorities, goals, and individualized action plans.

Coordination of nutrition care

The intervention domain involving consultation with, referral to, or coordination with other healthcare professionals or services.

Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation

The fourth step of the NCP whose purpose is to determine and measure the amount of progress made for the nutrition intervention and whether nutrition-related goals or expected outcomes are being met.

SOAP note

A form of documentation used by healthcare professionals to record a patient's visit or consultation.

S – Subjective

In SOAP documentation, information or data collected from the patient or caregiver, including food intake and food allergies.

O – Objective

In SOAP documentation, information based more on physical evidence, including weight, height, laboratory values, medications, and other measurable data.

A – Assessment

The SOAP component in which the Nutrition Diagnosis is made and a PES statement may be included.

P – Plan

The SOAP component containing an outline of the intervention necessary to treat the nutrition problem, including short-term and long-term goals.

Diet/Nutrition Counseling

The process of providing professional advice to a patient to guide him/her in meeting proper nutritional requirements.