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Organizing Data According to Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns
Functional                       Pattern Describes                          Examples
Health Pattern

Health Perception/               Client's perceived pattern of health       Compliance with medication regimen, use
Health Management                and well-being and how health is           of health-promotion activities such as
                                 managed.                                   regular exercise, annual check-ups.

Nutritional-Metabolic            Pattern of food and fluid                  Condition of skin, teeth, hair, nails,
                                 consumption relative to metabolic          mucous membranes; height and weight.
                                 need and pattern; indicators of local
                                 nutrient supply.

Elimination                      Patterns of excretory function             Frequency of bowel movements, voiding
                                 (bowel, bladder, and skin). Includes       pattern, pain on urination, appearance of
                                 client's perception of normal"            urine and stool.
                                 function.

Activity - Exercise              Patterns of exercise, activity, leisure,   Exercise, hobbies. May include
                                 and recreation.                            cardiovascular and respiratory status,
                                                                            mobility, and activities of daily living.

Cognitive-Perceptual             Sensory-perceptual and cognitive           Vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, pain
                                 patterns.                                  perception and management; cognitive
                                                                            functions such as language, memory, and
                                                                            decision making.

Sleep-Rest                       Patterns of sleep, rest, and               Client's perception of quality and quantity
                                 relaxation.                                of sleep and energy, sleep aids, routines
                                                                            client uses.

Self-Perception/                 Client's self-concept pattern and          Body comfort, body image, feeling state,
Self Concept                     perceptions of self.                       attitudes about self, perception of
                                                                            abilities, objective data such as body
                                                                            posture, eye contact, voice tone.

Role-Relationship                Client's pattern of role engagements       Perception of current major roles sand
                                 and relationships.                         responsibilities (e.g., father, husband,
                                                                            salesman); satisfaction with family, work,
                                                                            or social relationships.

Sexuality-Reproductive           Patterns of satisfaction and               Number and histories of pregnancy and
                                 dissatisfaction with sexuality             childbirth; difficulties with sexual
                                 pattern; reproductive pattern.             functioning; satisfaction with sexual
                                                                            relationship.

Coping / Stress Tolerance        General coping pattern and effective       Client's usual manner of handling stress,
                                 of the pattern in terms of stress          available support systems, perceived
                                 tolerance.                                 ability to control or manage situations.

Value - Belief                   Patterns of values, beliefs (including     Religious affiliation, what client perceives
                                 spiritual), and goals that guide           as important in life, value-belief conflicts
                                 client's choices or decisions.             related to health, special religious
                                                                            practices.


NursingNursing FormsGordon’s 11 Functional Health Patterns
D Ladd 7-16-02