What it means
A member of the health care team who works out how much energy, protein and fluid a client needs and plans diets for illness, such as diabetic, renal, low-sodium or tube-feeding plans. A registered dietitian (RD or RDN) has a degree, supervised training and a national credential.
For the nurse
Refer clients with weight loss, poor intake, swallowing problems, new diabetes, wounds or a new special diet to the dietitian, and reinforce their teaching.
At a glance
| Spanish | dietista |
|---|---|
| Also written | registered dietitian, dietitians, dietician |
Related terms
referral
Sending a client to another professional, service or agency for care or help that they need.
total parenteral nutrition
Complete nutrition given as a liquid straight into a vein instead of through the digestive tract.
celiac disease
An autoimmune disease in which eating gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye, damages the lining of the small intestine.