Professional Practice, Ethics, and Communication
Professional Practice, Ethics, and Communication tests safe scope of practice, informed consent, confidentiality, evidence appraisal, and behavior-change communication. Expect scenario judgments about what to say, what to document, and when to refer.
Core rules
- Work within legal and professional scope. Nutrition professionals may assess, educate, and support nutrition care, but diagnosing disease or prescribing beyond authorization requires referral to the appropriate clinician.
- Obtain informed consent before assessment or intervention, explain limits of confidentiality, and document relevant findings, advice, and referrals objectively.
- Use evidence-based practice: appraise study design, consistency, effect size, and applicability rather than relying on testimonials or single studies.
- Motivational interviewing uses open questions, affirmation, reflective listening, and summaries to explore ambivalence without coercion. Health literacy, culture, language, and accessibility shape communication.
Worked example
A client with adequate dietary intake asks for a high-dose supplement after seeing an online testimonial. The professional checks symptoms, medications, diet, and laboratory data; explains that a testimonial is weak evidence and that high doses may interact with treatment; avoids promising benefit; and documents the discussion. If the client has a medical condition requiring supplement decisions, the professional refers to the prescriber rather than independently authorizing it.
Traps
Do not give a medical diagnosis or promise a cure. Do not let a testimonial outweigh systematic evidence. Do not ignore conflicts of interest or supplement sales incentives. Do not use fear-based or shaming language, and do not assume understanding without checking teach-back.