Disease-Specific Nutrition Therapy
Core concepts
Know medical nutrition therapy for diabetes (carbohydrate consistency, glycemic control, weight management), cardiovascular disease (saturated fat reduction, fiber, sodium limits, DASH-style patterns), chronic kidney disease (protein and sodium, potassium, and phosphorus restriction by stage; dialysis increases protein needs), liver disease (protein adequacy, sodium restriction for ascites), and pulmonary disease (energy adequacy, avoiding overfeeding-related carbon dioxide load). Understand oncology nutrition, including cachexia and the role of adequate energy and protein. Recognize food-drug interactions and condition-specific counseling points.
Traps
Questions often test overly restrictive diets: for example, applying strict potassium restriction to all kidney patients regardless of stage or laboratory values. Another trap is underfeeding protein in dialysis patients or in liver disease. Watch for items that recommend a single universal diet for diabetes rather than individualized carbohydrate management. Also beware of recommendations that ignore laboratory trends and clinical status.
Worked example
A hemodialysis patient needs higher protein than a predialysis patient because dialysis removes amino acids and proteins. Rule of thumb: match restrictions to stage and labs, not to the disease label alone, and reassess whenever laboratory values or clinical status change.