Hair (appearance, texture, easily pluckable).After conducting a general survey of a resident’s appearance and evaluation of their eating habits and weight history, a hands-on assessment is completed focusing on areas that include: Utilizing NFPE can provide the information for making these identifications.Īppropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be utilized for safety when conducting a NFPE. Malnutrition is defined as the presence of two or more of the following characteristics: insufficient energy intake, weight loss, loss of muscle mass, loss of subcutaneous fat, localized or generalized fluid accumulation, and decreased functional status. This allows for a plan of care to be formulated to improve nutritional outcomes. While a resident’s lab values may be within normal limits, or their weight or meal intakes have not changed, a physical exam may determine if they in fact have nutrient deficiencies, decreased fat store or muscle wasting and provide additional pertinent information. This exam adds additional support to the comprehensive nutritional assessment and allows for appropriate interventions to support a resident’s nutritional status. Nutrition focused physical exams (NFPE) are a head to toe assessment of a resident’s physical appearance and function to help determine signs of nutrient deficiencies and to identify malnutrition.