Nurses play a critical role in the nutritional management of patients. Indirect calorimetry offers an accurate assessment of a patient's metabolic rate, which is particularly important for those with altered metabolic stress due to illness, injury, or surgery. Tailoring nutrition plans based on indirect calorimetry can help optimize patient outcomes by preventing underfeeding or overfeeding, which can lead to complications such as muscle wasting, impaired immune function, or exacerbated metabolic disturbances.
