Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns is a nursing assessment theory proposed by Marjorie Gordon, a professor, and nursing theorist, in 1987. Nurses use the assessment tool for evaluating a patient’s health by using information about previous and existing health conditions. The assessment is based on health that considers the physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions. It can identify areas of concern by serving as a framework for organizing and analyzing lifestyle factors affecting health and developing a care plan. The health patterns go hand in hand with the focus of caregivers on activity, nutrition, accident prevention, coping and stress tolerance, tobacco and drug use, and other lifestyle factors. They are divided into 11 categories, which approach data collection systematically in a standardized way to enable nurses to determine various aspects of health and human function. A detailed nursing care plan consists of assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation of patient details, which helps in achieving the desired goals. Functional health patterns aid in evaluating the diagnosis using nursing care, which has details of the patient’s functional health. The health patterns are;

Health Perception and Health Management Pattern.

It has long been established that people’s perception of their health is a significant factor in their overall health management. This means that how people see their health affects their health care decisions, including whether to see a doctor, get a checkup, or take medication. Recent studies have shown that people’s health perception is often skewed. For example, people may downplay their symptoms or the severity of their condition. This leads to people making poor decisions regarding their health, which can lead to serious health complications. It is important to be aware of this effect and ensure that you get accurate information about your health. This helps ensure that you make the best decisions possible regarding your health care.

In this functional health pattern, adverse effects on health are identified and evaluated, including smoking and alcohol or drug use. Patient or guardians’ assessment questions include; What is your opinion about health? Have you been immunized? When was your last immunization? Do you have any allergies? If yes, name the type of allergy. Do you have any chronic illnesses? Have you ever had any surgery? If yes, what type of surgery was it? When was your last physical examination, and why was it done? Are you on medication? Have you been using any medicine recently? Do you know about these medicines? The questions will help the nurse know how the client perceives personal health and healthcare behaviors, prevention, and compliance with medications for health management.

Nutrition and Metabolism Pattern

The average person has a daily nutrient and calorie requirement that is essential for their health and well-being. However, due to the modern lifestyle, many people do not get enough nutrients and calories through their diet alone. Nutrition and metabolism are two crucial factors that affect our overall health. When we eat nutritious foods, our bodies can better process and utilize the nutrients. This, in turn, helps to keep our metabolism functioning properly. There are a variety of different factors that can impact our nutrition and metabolism. For instance, age, activity level, and overall health can all play a role.

The type and pattern of food we eat can also impact our metabolism. In assessing this functional health pattern, the nurse focuses on food and fluid intake patterns with metabolic needs. Local nutrient supply adequacy, fluid balance, host defenses, gastrointestinal system. and tissue integrity potential problems are identified and evaluated. Patients’ or guardians’ assessment questions include; Is your appetite good (Describe food intake)? Any foods you like or dislike? What is your diet menu? Do you have any food allergies? Do you have difficulties with eating and swallowing? Do you have any food restrictions regarding religious or disease points of view? The nurse also asks about the patient’s skin, scalp, and nails.

Elimination Pattern

Elimination is a process by which the body gets rid of waste products and other toxins. The main focus of this pattern is on the (bladder, bowel, and skin) excretory patterns. The nurse may identify excretory problems such as incontinence, urinary retention, diarrhea, and constipation. Patients’ or guardians’ assessment questions asked include; What is the color, amount, frequency, and odor of urine? Do you have any discharges? Do you have any urinary problems (dysuria, Anuria, Oliguria, polyuria)? Are you using any laxatives? If yes, which ones? Do you have any problems during the passing defecation?

Activity and Exercise Pattern

It is well known that activity and exercise are important for maintaining good health. However, the type, intensity, and duration of activity or exercise best for each individual can vary depending on several factors. Some that can influence the activity and exercise pattern best for you include your age, weight, fitness level, and any health conditions you may have. It is important to consult with your doctor before starting any new activity or exercise program to make sure it is safe for you and appropriate for your individual needs. It is important to be consistent with your activity and exercise routine. This means setting realistic goals and sticking to a schedule that works for you. Also, make sure you are doing various activities and exercises to challenge your body, avoid boredom, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after your activity or exercise session.

In the activity functional health pattern, the assessment focuses on daily activities that require energy expenditure: exercise, self-care, and leisure activities. Evaluation involves significant body systems involved with physical activities and exercise, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems. Patients’ or guardians’ assessment questions include; Do you have any breathing problems? ( apnea, hypercapnia, hypoxemia, hypoxia) Do you have a cough? If yes, is it productive or non-productive? Are there any changes in your heartbeat during exercise? Do you feel pale during exercise? What type of physical activity or exercise do you do? Do you experience any problems during exercise?

Cognition and Perception Pattern

Cognition is the mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. Perception is the process of interpreting the information we take through our senses. The two are closely linked, as our cognition influences how we perceive the world around us. For example, suppose we believe that we are not good at something. In that case, we are likely to perceive our ability negatively. Our cognition can also subtly affect our perceptions, such as when we see shapes in clouds or faces on the moon. Patterns are often found in both cognition and perception. In this functional health pattern, the assessment focuses on the ability to comprehend and use information and sensory functions. The nurse may identify sensory experiences like pain and altered sensory input. Patients’ or guardians’ assessment questions include; Are you oriented to time, place, and person? Any difficulty in making sentences? Any loss of memory? The nurse also checks for good auditory and sensory adequacy, self-concept, self-perception patterns, and if the client shows positive attitudes toward others.

Sleep and Rest Pattern

It is widely known that humans need sleep to function correctly. Sleep allows our bodies and minds to rest and rejuvenate, which is essential for good health. However, it is not always easy to get enough sleep. Our busy lifestyles can often get in the way, and many of us struggle to get a good night’s rest. You can do a few things to help improve your sleep and rest pattern:

Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you wind down before sleep. This might include reading or taking a warm bath.
Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and comfortable to help promote a restful environment.

Assessment of the sleep and rest pattern is focused on the patient’s sleep, rest, and relaxation practices. The nurse may identify fatigue, aids to sleep, feelings of renewal, dysfunctional sleep patterns, and their response to sleep deprivation. Patients’ or their guardians’ assessment questions include; At what time do you sleep? Do you nap? How do you feel after waking up? Are you using any sleep medication? Do you exercise at night?

Self-Perception and Self-Concept Pattern

The self-perception and self-concept pattern is a way of understanding how people see themselves. This pattern is based on the idea that people tend to form their self-concepts based on their perceptions of themselves. It includes your beliefs, values, and opinions. If you have a positive self-perception, you are more likely to see constructive criticism as helpful. If you have a negative self-perception, you are more likely to see constructive criticism as hurtful. For example, suppose someone perceives themselves as being competent. In that case, they will likely form a self-concept based on that perception.

The self-perception and self-concept pattern has been studied extensively. It is a reliable way of understanding how people see themselves. This pattern can predict how people will act in various situations and can be used to understand why people act the way they do. The assessment focuses on the person’s attitudes toward self: body image, identity, and self-worth. The nurse will identify the patient’s self-esteem level and response to threats to self-concept. Assessment questions that patients or their guardians are asked include; What is your self-perception in yourself? Are you satisfied with your self-body image? Do you like self-grooming?

Roles and Relationships Pattern

The Roles and Relationships Pattern is a design pattern that helps manage the relationships between objects in a system. This pattern defines a set of roles and responsibilities of the patient and the relationships with family and others. The nursing assessment focuses on the patient’s roles and relations with others. The nurse will identify and evaluate satisfaction with roles, role strain, and dysfunctional relationships with the patient’s or guardians’ assessment questions: What is your role in the family? Which activities of daily living do you do? Who will perform your responsibilities if you are admitted to the hospital? Are all the family members cooperative with you? Who makes decisions in your family?

Sexuality and Reproduction Pattern

The nursing assessment focuses on the patient’s satisfaction or lack of satisfaction with sexual patterns and reproductive functions. The nurse may identify and evaluate sexuality concerns. Patients’ or guardians’ assessment questions include; When did you have your first menses? Do you have any sexual problems like loss of libido? Are you sexually active? Do you know anything about reproduction?

Coping and Stress Tolerance Pattern

The ability to cope with stress and tolerate stressful situations is a fundamental human need. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same capacity to cope with stress. Some people are more prone to stress than others, and some have a higher stress tolerance. The nursing assessment focuses on the patient’s perception of coping strategies and stress in this pattern. The nurse evaluates support systems and effective coping strategies and notes symptoms of stress. Patients’ or guardians’ assessment questions include; Do you experience stress? How do you cope with stress? What is your opinion regarding anger and violence? The answers will help the nurse formulate a nursing diagnosis.

Values and Belief Pattern

The assessment focuses on the patient’s values and beliefs (including spiritual beliefs) or goals guiding the choices and decisions. Patients’ or their guardians’ assessment questions include; What is your religion? Do you often pray? Do you have any moral distress?

References

Jones, B. (2013). Nursing assessment and diagnosis. In, J. Crisp, C. Taylor, C. Douglas, & G. Rebeiro, Potter and Perry’s fundamentals of nursing (4th ed., pp. 85-99). Chatswood, Australia: Elsevier, Australia.

Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns: An Essential Tool For Assessment