Gordon’s 11 Functional Health Pattern

Marjorie Gordon was a nursing theorist and professor who proposed a nursing assessment theory known as Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns in 1987. FHP's as a guide, used by nurses in the nursing process for establishing a comprehensive nursing data base as a result of nursing assessment of the patient. Gordon's Functional Health Pattern include 11 categories, which make a systematic and standardized approach to data collection possible, and enable the nurse to determine the following aspects of health and human function:

1 - Health Perception and Health Management Pattern.

Data collection is focused on the person's perceived level of health and well-being, and on practices for maintaining health. Habits that may be detrimental to health are also evaluated, including smoking and alcohol or drug use. Actual or potential problems related to safety and health management may be identified as well as needs for modifications in the home or needs for continued care in the home.

Example of Health Perception and Health Management FHP Assessment Questions:

• What is your opinion about health?
• Are you immunized about seven target diseases?
• Last immunization?
• Do you have any allergy? If yes then type of allergy.
• Any surgery in past? What type of surgery?
• Last physical examination & for what purpose.
• Are you using any medicine recently?
• Do you know about these medicines?

2 - Nutrition and Metabolism Pattern

Assessment is focused on the pattern of food and fluid consumption relative to metabolic need. The adequacy of local nutrient supplies is evaluated. Actual or potential problems related to fluid balance, tissue integrity, and host defenses may be identified as well as problems with the gastrointestinal system.

Example of Nutrition and Metabolism FHP Assessment Questions:

• Ask about their skin, scalp and nails?
• What is your diet menu?
• Any food restriction regarding disease point of view?
• Any food restriction regarding religious point of view?
• Any food like or dislike?
• Any food allergy?

3 - Elimination Pattern

Data collection is focused on excretory patterns (bowel, bladder, skin). Excretory problems such as incontinence, constipation, diarrhea, and urinary retention may be identified.

Example of Elimination FHP Assessment Questions:

• Color of urine, amount, frequency, odor and any discharge.
• Any urinary problem, dysurea, Anurea, Oligourea, , polyuria.
• Are you using any laxative? If yes which?
• Any problem during passing defecation?

4 - Activity and Exercise Pattern

Assessment is focused on the activities of daily living requiring energy expenditure, including self-care activities, exercise, and leisure activities. The status of major body systems involved with activity and exercise is evaluated, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculo-skeletal systems.

Example of Activity and Exercise FHP Assessment Questions:

• Do you any breathing problem? (In which apnea, hypoxia, hypoxemia, hypercapnia.)
• Do you have cough? (Productive or non-productive)
• Any changes in heart beat during exercise?
• Do you feel pale during exercise?
• What type of exercise you do or any problem during exercise?

5 - Cognition and Perception Pattern

Assessment is focused on the ability to comprehend and use information and on the sensory functions. Data pertaining to neurologic functions are collected to aid this process. Sensory experiences such as pain and altered sensory input may be identified and further evaluated.

Example of Activity and Exercise FHP Assessment Questions:

• Orientation about time place and person.
• Any difficulty in sentence making?
• Loss of memory.

6 - Sleep and Rest Pattern

Assessment is focused on the person's sleep, rest, and relaxation practices. Dysfunctional sleep patterns, fatigue, and responses to sleep deprivation may be identified.

Example of Activity and Exercise FHP Assessment Questions:

• Sleeping hour?
• Are you using nap (evening type sleeping).
• What do you feel after waking? (Fresh, headache, drowsy).
• Are you using any medication for sleeping?
• Do you have any exercise or walking at night?

7 - Self-Perception and Self-Concept Pattern

Assessment is focused on the person's attitudes toward self, including identity, body image, and sense of self-worth. The person's level of self-esteem and response to threats to his or her self-concept may be identified.

Example of Self-Perception and Self-Concept FHP Assessment Questions:

• What is your self-perception about yourself?
• Are you satisfied with your self-body image?
• Do you like grooming?

8 - Roles and Relationships Pattern

Assessment is focused on the person's roles in the world and relationships with others. Satisfaction with roles, role strain, or dysfunctional relationships may be further evaluated.

Example of Roles and Relationships FHP Assessment Questions:

• What is your role in family?
• If you are in hospital then who will perform your responsibilities?
• All the family members are cooperative with you?
• Who is decision maker in your family?

9 - Sexuality and Reproduction Pattern

Assessment is focused on the person's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with sexuality patterns and reproductive functions. Concerns with sexuality may he identified.

Example of Sexuality and Reproduction FHP Assessment Questions:

• When you first notice changes in your menarche (first menses is called menarche)
• Do you have any sexual problem? (Loss of libido)
• Active sex (direct sex with male and female)
• Passive sex (sex without male and female partner)
• Digital sex
• Reproductive: Infertility

10 - Coping and Stress Tolerance Pattern

Assessment is focused on the person's perception of stress and on his or her coping strategies Support systems are evaluated, and symptoms of stress are noted. The effectiveness of a person's coping strategies in terms of stress tolerance may be further evaluated.

Example of Sexuality and Reproduction FHP Assessment Questions:

• If you have stress then what is your coping mechanism towards stress?
• Crying, angry, violence, (what is your opinion regarding that)

11 - Values and Belief Pattern

Assessment is focused on the person's values and beliefs (including spiritual beliefs), or on the goals that guide his or her choices or decisions.

Example of Sexuality and Reproduction FHP Assessment Questions:

• What is your religion?
• Do you offer prayer?

Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns | POST RN BSN Nursing Resources