11 FUNCTIONAL HEALTH PATTERNS

By M. Gordon

Functional Health Pattern Pattern Describes Examples

Client’s perceived pattern of Compliance with medication

Health Perception/Health health and well-being and regimen, use of
Management how health is managed. health-promotion activities
such as regular exercise,
annual check-ups.

Pattern of food and fluid Condition of skin, teeth, hair,

consumption relative to nails, mucous membranes,
Nutritional-Metabolic metabolic need and pattern; height, and weight.
indicators of local nutrient
supply.

Patterns of excretory Frequency of bowel

function (bowel, bladder, movements, voiding pattern,
Elimination and skin) include the client’s pain or urination, the
perception of a “normal” appearance of urine and
function. stool.

Patterns of exercise, activity, Exercise, hobbies. May

Activity- Exercise leisure, and recreation include cardiovascular and
respiratory status, mobility,
and activities of daily living.

Sensory-perceptual and Vision, hearing, taste, touch,

cognitive patterns. smell, pain perception and
Cognitive-Perceptual management, cognitive
functions such as language,
memory, and decision
making.

Patterns of sleep, rest, and Client’s perception of quality

Sleep-Rest relaxation. and quantity of sleep and
energy, sleep aids, routines
client uses.

Client’s pattern of role Perception of current major

engagements and roles and responsibilities
Role-Relationship relationships. (e.g., father, husband,
salesman); satisfaction with
family, work, or social
relationships.

Patterns of satisfaction and The number of histories of

dissatisfaction with sexuality pregnancy and childbirth;
Sexuality-Reproductive pattern; reproductive difficulties with sexual
pattern. functioning; satisfaction with
the sexual relationship.
 11 FUNCTIONAL HEALTH PATTERNS
By M. Gordon

General coping pattern and Client’s usual manner of

effect of the pattern in terms handling stress, available
Coping/Stress Tolerance of stress tolerance support systems, perceived
ability to control or manage
situations.

Patterns of values, beliefs Religious affiliation, what the

(including spiritual), and client perceives as important
Value-Belief goals that guide client’s in life, value-belief conflicts
choices or decisions. related to health, special
religious practices.

Client’s self-concept pattern Body comfort, body image,

Self-Perception/ and perception of self. feeling state, attitudes about
Self-Concept self, perception of abilities,
objective data such as body
posture, eye contact, voice
tone.