Nutritional support of pulmonary patients: a multidisciplinary approach.

Pulmonary disease affects and is affected by the nutritional status of the patient. The relationships between nutrition, medications, complications, and the course of pulmonary disease itself are multifaceted and are the focus of concern for the nutritional support team. Nutritional support of patients with pulmonary disease demands the expertise of a multidisciplinary team in monitoring the nutritional status of patients, appropriately selecting feeding solutions and routines, selecting and administering medications, and planning and implementing nursing interventions. Recognition of the importance of the nutritional component of care for patients with pulmonary disease is the focus of this article.