What is the primary duty of a dietitian?

The primary duty of a dietitian centers around planning nutrition programs and educating patients. Dietitians are experts in nutrition and play a crucial role in promoting health and managing diseases through dietary intervention. They assess patients' nutritional needs, develop personalized meal plans, and provide education on healthy eating habits. They often work in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or clinics, where they collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care that addresses both medical and nutritional needs.

While the other options involve important healthcare responsibilities, they do not align with the core mission of a dietitian. Administering anesthesia, performing imaging procedures, and assigning medical codes are specialized tasks performed by other health professionals, such as anesthesiologists, radiologic technologists, and medical coders, respectively. Therefore, the focus on planning nutrition programs and educating patients distinctly highlights the dietitian's role in health care.