Illinois Nursing Home Administrators (NHA) Practice Exam

An order for a therapeutic diet must be written by which of the following?

1. a dietician

2. a physician

3. the DON

4. the food service director

The correct answer is: a physician

A therapeutic diet order must be written by a physician because it is considered a medical order that addresses specific health conditions or dietary needs of a resident. Physicians have the training and authority to assess a patient’s medical condition and determine the necessary dietary interventions to promote health, recovery, or manage chronic illnesses. While a dietician may assist in planning and providing details about the specifics of the diet, the ultimate authority to prescribe that diet comes from the physician, who considers the integral aspects of a patient's overall health status. The Director of Nursing (DON) and the food service director may play roles in the implementation and management of dietary practices but do not have the authority to dictate or write therapeutic diet orders themselves.