US EPA

7436419 

Journal Article 

The Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam 

Fry, MR; , 

2020 

Springer International Publishing 

Cham 

Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy 

637-694 

10.1007/978-3-030-30730-1_39 

http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-30730-1_39
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A key component of the nutritional assessment is the nutrition-focused physical exam (NFPE). Competency in performing this exam and interpreting its findings are paramount to making sound clinical decisions and to correctly diagnosing a patient’s nutritional problem(s). However, research reveals that the NFPE is underutilized and that dietitians and healthcare practitioners lack competency and appreciation for its role in nutritional assessment and the provision of quality care. This chapter aims to engage the dietitian, nutritionist, and healthcare provider in learning more about the rationale, techniques, and clinical findings of the NFPE. Extensive tables on how to perform specific physical examination techniques are accompanied by nutritional and medical interpretations of possible clinical findings. A wide array of signs and functional tests are covered from the head to toe along with comprehensive information on anthropometric measures. The nutrition-focused physical exam provides clinicians with objective methods to assess both insufficiencies and excesses of macronutrients, micronutrients, and fluid status and provides the functional nutrition or medical provider with tools to detect early signs of imbalances in organ systems and physiologic function. Finally, an added benefit of the NFPE is the unique opportunity it provides to connect provider and patient in a healing and potentially transformative manner.