Research shows that early nutrition intervention of a patient with malnutrition can decrease length of stay, falls, pressure ulcers, infections, complications, re-admissions and overall health care costs. Registered dietitian nutritionists can perform a nutrition focused physical exam to more accurately provide individuals with a nutrition diagnosis of malnutrition. While the NFPE is only one component of the nutrition assessment, it can provide necessary supportive data to identify and nutrition diagnose the patient with, or at risk for, malnutrition.