A patient diagnosed with heart failure is preparing for discharge. The patient asks the nurse if a special diet is necessary. How should the nurse respond?

Question

1. "A special diet is important for you. Let me tell you about it in detail."
2. "I am glad you asked. The health care provider will be discussing the diet with you."
3. "The pharmacist will be talking with the physician. They will let the dietitian know what is best for you."
4. "I will be reviewing your discharge plans with you, but I would also like to ask the dietitian to come visit with you to help finalize your diet."

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: The nurse can discuss generalities about the required diet but is not the best person to provide detailed instruction.
Rationale 2: While the physician is important in the health care team, the most appropriate person to discuss the details of the diet is not the physician.
Rationale 3: The pharmacist will have information about any potential drug–food interactions; however, dietary teaching is not the pharmacist's primary role. Another health care professional better fills that role.
Rationale 4: The dietician is the most qualified member of the interdisciplinary team to give the patient specific guidance regarding diet.