Gordons (2)

7/27/2019 Gordons (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/gordons-2 1/3

III. Gordon’s Typology of 11 Functional Health Pattern

A. Health Perception Pattern

Prior to admission, the patient rated his health as 5/10 (1 as the lowest, and 10 as the

highest) since he really doesn’t feel good about himself due to his disease. The patient was

already diagnosed with kidney problem on the year 2010 but doesn’t really take medications or

any treatments. He doesn’t take any vitamins as well. The patient neither drinks nor smokes. The

patient doesn’t perform any self -exams and he only goes to the doctor when he’s feeling sick. He

stated that he self-medicates, especially when he gets fever. The patient also stated that he

believes in faith healers and goes to one when he’s not feeling well. The patient sometimes works

as a tricycle driver. He usually goes out to drive his tricycle three times a week, from morning

until evening. When the patient’s not out to work, he usually stays at home with his family, or

goes out with his friends to play basketball. Playing basketball serves as the client’s exercise.

During confinement, he stated that he’s health rating is still on a 5/10. He still feels bad

about his health condition and stated that he’s worried that he won’t be able to use his left arm

well due to his fistula. He doesn’t have any difficulties in following the instructions of the

nurses/doctor since he is staying there for almost a month. His personal hygiene practices are not

changed since he was a right handed person and his fistula is on his left arm.

Analysis: These characteristics indicate that health is not something that a person achievessuddenly at a specific time. It is an ongoing process – a way of life- through which a person

develops and encourages every aspect of the body, mind, and feelings, to interrelate harmoniouslyas much as possible. Many factors affect individual definitions of health. Definitions may vary

according to an individual’s previous experiences, expectations of self, age and socioculturalinfluences. It may influences behavior related to health and illness. (Fundamentals of Nursing by

Kozier&Erbs 8th ed. Vol. 2 pp. 295-296)

Interpretation: The patient does not have a change of view of his health before and during theadmission. There have been changes in his activities but it doesn’t affect his perspective about hishealth.

B. Nutritional/Metabolic Pattern

Prior to admission, the patient stated that he has a good appetite and that he usually eats

for 5x a day (breakfast, lunch, merienda, dinner, and midnight snack). The patient doesn’t take

any vitamins. His typical fluid intake is about 8-9 glasses of water per day. He stated that he is a

picky eater – he usually eats fried food such as chicken and pork. He doesn’t eat vegetables, and

he also loves drinking softdrinks. The patient doesn’t have any discomfort in eating, and has no

diet restrictions. He has no known allergies to food and medications. The patient’s skin is dry, buthas no lesions.

During confinement, the patient is on a calculated renal diet and has a limited fluid intake

of up to 1 liter only. The patient’s appetite decreased since he was hospitalized.

7/27/2019 Gordons (2)


Analysis: Although the nutritional content of food is an important consideration when planning a

diet, an individual’s food preferences and habits are often a major factor affecting actual food

intake. Habits about eating are influenced by developmental considerations where people in rapid

periods of growth (i.e., infancy and adolescence) have increased needs for nutrients, by gender

wherein nutrient requirements are different for men and women because of body composition and

reproductive functions, by ethnicity and culture where ethnicity often determines food preferences and traditional foods (e.g., rice for Asians, pasta for Italians, curry for Indians) are

eaten long after other customs are abandoned, by personal preferences which people develop likes

and dislikes based on associations with a typical food, by health where an individual’s health

status greatly affects eating habits and nutritional status. Although some people overeat when

stressed, depressed, or lonely, others eat very little under the same conditions . ( Kozier and Erb’s

Fundamentals of Nursing, Vol. 2 pp. 1237-1238 & 1240)

Interpretation: The patient

C. Elimination Pattern

Prior to admission, the patient did not experience any difficulties in urination or bowel

elimination. The patient stated that his usual urine is light yellow in color and that he urinates for

about 5-6x a day. The patient also has no difficulty in his bowel movement. He said that he

usually defecates once a day, every day. His usual stool is brownish in color, and formed.

During confinement, according to the patient, he still doesn’t experience any difficulty in

passing urine and stool. He still urinates and defecates the same as when he wasn’t still confined.

Analysis: A person’s urinary habits depend on social culture, personal habits, and physicalabilities. In North America, most people are accustomed to privacy and clean (even decorative)surroundings while they urinate. Urinary elimination is essential to health, and voiding can be

postponed for only so long before the urge normally becomes too great to control. The frequencyof defecation is highly individual, varying from several times per day to two or three times per week. The amount defecated also varies from person to person. (Fundamentals of Nursing by

Kozier&Erbs 8th

ed. Vol. 2 p. 1285 & 1325)

Interpretation:

D. Activity-Exercise Pattern

Prior to admission, the patient’s usual routine is to drive around his tricycle for a living,

play basketball with his friends, and mingle with his family. The patient usually drives his

tricycle for three times a week, depending on his willingness to work. He doesn’t really help in

the household chores, and would just go out with his friends when he’s not working. The patientstated that he loves going out with his friends and play basketball and other sports. He said that he

doesn’t really tire easily and that he always feels energized every day.

During confinement, the patient experiences easy fatigability and body weakness. The

patient has limited movements due to his condition. His mother usually assists him in moving

around.

7/27/2019 Gordons (2)


Analysis: People in their early 20s are their prime physical years. The human body is at its most

efficient functioning at about age 25 years. The musculoskeletal system is well developed and

coordinated. This is the period when athletic endeavors reach their peak. All other systems of the

body (e.g., cardiovascular, auditory and reproductive) are also functioning at peak efficiency.

Although physical changes are minimal during this stage, weight and muscle mass may change as

a result of diet and exercise. Health outcomes in older adulthood may have their genesis inyounger adult behaviors. (Fundamentals of Nursing by Kozier&Erbs 8th ed. Vol. 1 p. 394)

Interpretation:

E. Sleep-Rest Pattern

Prior to admission, the patient usually gets to sleep for 8-10 hours. He usually

sleeps around 9 pm and wakes up around 6-8pm. The patient doesn’t have any difficulties in

falling asleep and it is continuous. He feels refresh when waking up in the morning.

During confinement, the patient doesn’t have any difficulties in falling asleep but it is

not continuous since he was at the hospital his vital signs are always checked by the duty nurse.

Analysis: Most healthy adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night (National Sleep Foundation,

n.d.b). However, there is individual variation as some adults may be able to function well (e.g.,

without sleepiness or drowsiness) with 6 hours of sleep and others may need 10 hours to function

optimally. Signs that may indicate that a person is not getting enough sleep include falling asleep

or becoming drowsy during a task that is not fatiguing (e.g., listening to a boring or monotonous

presentation), not being able to concentrate or remember information, and being unreasonably

irritable with others. (Kozier and Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing, Vol. 2 page 1168)

Interpretation:

Documents

Gordons (2)