Functional Health Pattern Assessment (FHP)
Assessment Description
This assignment requires students to conduct a comprehensive individual client interview using Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns framework and then produce an evidence-based analysis of the collected data. The framework organizes health data into 11 distinct patterns to support holistic nursing assessment and identification of strengths, risks, and actual or potential health problems.
Task Overview
Select one non-family adult client (age 18 or older) who consents to a private interview. Use the Functional Health Pattern questions provided below as your guide to gather subjective data. Document the client’s responses verbatim where possible. Following the interview, write a paper that summarizes key findings across all patterns, analyzes patterns for actual or potential health concerns, identifies at least two nursing diagnoses (one actual and one risk or wellness), and proposes one evidence-based health-promotion intervention tailored to the client’s profile.
Assignment Instructions
1. Prepare for and conduct the interview using only the questions listed in each pattern.
2. Maintain client confidentiality and obtain verbal consent prior to beginning.
3. Organize raw data by pattern before writing the paper.
4. Submit the completed paper in APA 7th edition format.
5. Length requirement: 750–1,000-word paper (title page and reference list not included in word count).
Functional Health Pattern Questions
Pattern of Health Perception and Health Management
- How does the person describe current health?
- What does the person do to maintain health?
- What does person know about links between lifestyle and health?
- How big a problem is financing health care for this person?
- Can this person report his/her medications and the reason for taking them?
- If this person has allergies, what does he/she do to prevent/manage them?
- What does the person know about medical problems in his/her family?
- Have there been any important illnesses/injuries in this person’s life?
Nutritional-Metabolic Pattern
- Is this person well-nourished?
- How does this person’s food intake compare with recommended food intake?
- Does this person have any disease that affects nutritional/metabolic function?
Pattern of Elimination
- Are the person’s excretory functions within normal range?
- Does the person have any disease of the digestive system, urinary system, or skin?
Pattern of Activity and Exercise
- How does this person describe his/her weekly pattern of Activity/Leisure? Exercise/Recreation?
- Does this person have any disease that affects his/her Cardio/Respiratory System? Musculoskeletal System?
Cognitive/Perceptual Pattern
- Does this person have any sensory deficits? If yes, are they corrected?
- Can this person express himself/herself clearly and logically?
- What is this person’s level of education?
- Does this person have any disease that affects mental or sensory functions?
- If this person has pain, describe it and its causes.
Pattern of Sleep and Rest
- Describe this person’s sleep/wake cycle.
- Does this person appear physically rested and relaxed?
Pattern of Self-Perception and Self-Concept
- Is there anything unusual about this person’s appearance?
- Does this person seem comfortable with his/her appearance?
- Describe this person’s feeling state.
Role-Relationship Pattern
- How does this person describe his/her various roles in life?
- Has, or does this person presently have positive role models for these roles?
- Which relationships are most important to this person at this time?
- Is this person presently going through any changes in role or relationships? If yes, describe changes.
Sexuality – Reproductive Pattern
- Is this person satisfied with his/her situation related to sexuality?
- Does this person have any disease/dysfunction of the reproductive system?
- Is this person satisfied with his/her plans regarding children?
Pattern of Coping and Stress Tolerance
- How does this person cope with difficult situations/problems?
- Do these coping mechanism/actions help or make things worse?
- Has this person had any treatment for emotional distress?
Pattern of Value and Beliefs
- What principles did this person learn as a child that are still important to him/her?
- Does this person identify with any social, religious, ethnic, regional, cultural, or other groups?
- What support systems does this person currently have?
Submission Requirements
The paper must include:
• Introduction that identifies the client by age range, gender, and general health status (no identifying information).
• Body organized by each of the 11 patterns with concise summary of findings followed by brief analysis.
• Section that lists and justifies two nursing diagnoses using NANDA-I format.
• Section that proposes one specific, client-centered health-promotion strategy supported by current evidence.
• Conclusion that reflects on how the FHP framework guided holistic understanding.
• Reference list with a minimum of three scholarly sources published since 2018.
Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Excellent (90–100%) | Good (80–89%) | Satisfactory (70–79%) | Needs Improvement (<70%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completeness of FHP Data Collection (30%) | All 11 patterns addressed with clear, relevant client responses documented. | 10 patterns fully addressed; minor gaps in one. | 8–9 patterns addressed; noticeable omissions. | Fewer than 8 patterns or superficial data. |
| Analysis and Interpretation of Findings (25%) | Insightful pattern-by-pattern analysis links data to potential health concerns. | Adequate analysis; most patterns interpreted logically. | Basic summary with limited analysis. | Primarily descriptive with little interpretation. |
| Nursing Diagnoses and Health Promotion (20%) | Two appropriate NANDA-I diagnoses justified; one targeted, evidence-based intervention proposed. | Diagnoses mostly accurate; intervention relevant. | One diagnosis or intervention vague. | Diagnoses missing or unsupported; intervention absent or unrelated. |
| APA Format, Mechanics, and References (15%) | Error-free APA 7th edition; scholarly tone; three or more current sources. | Minor APA or grammar issues; three sources used. | Several APA errors; two sources. | Multiple errors; fewer than two sources. |
| Organization and Flow (10%) | Logical structure with smooth transitions; within word limit. | Generally well-organized. | Some disorganization. | Lacks clear structure or exceeds word limit significantly. |
Example Student Response Excerpt
A 68-year-old male client described his current health as fair yet stable since a mild myocardial infarction two years ago and reported taking daily low-dose aspirin plus a statin as prescribed to reduce cardiovascular risk. He maintained health through brisk 20-minute walks most mornings and annual physical examinations while acknowledging that occasional high-sodium meals could affect blood pressure control. Findings across the nutritional-metabolic and activity-exercise patterns revealed adequate but borderline protein intake and only moderate weekly exercise, consistent with patterns that may contribute to gradual weight gain. The client expressed satisfaction with family roles as grandfather yet noted recent stress from caregiving responsibilities that occasionally disrupted sleep. Overall the assessment highlighted effective coping through prayer and support from his spouse. An integrative review of comprehensive nursing assessment tools developed based on Gordon’s Eleven Functional Health Patterns indicates that structured use of the framework improves detection of subtle functional declines before they escalate into acute episodes.
Further examination of the client’s coping-stress tolerance pattern aligns with outcomes reported in a randomized controlled trial that applied Gordon’s model to heart-failure patients and demonstrated measurable gains in self-reported quality of life when nurses addressed both physiological and psychosocial domains simultaneously (Türen et al., 2020). The trial followed 82 symptomatic participants over eight weeks and showed the intervention group achieved statistically significant improvements in daily functioning scores compared with standard care. Such evidence underscores the value of integrating subjective stress data with objective pattern findings to refine care priorities.
Students frequently overlook the value-belief pattern when time is limited yet this domain often reveals the client’s primary motivation for change. In the present case the client’s long-standing religious practices served as a key resilience factor that could be leveraged to support adherence to dietary recommendations. Comparing this approach with a purely biomedical focus reveals that the latter may miss culturally congruent strategies, a point reinforced by psychometric testing of a modified FHP screening tool that confirmed stronger predictive validity when all 11 patterns receive equal attention (e Silva et al., 2024). Faculty advisors recommend that learners cross-reference interview notes against NANDA-I definitions early in the drafting process to avoid vague diagnostic statements.
Compose a 750–1,000-word APA paper that summarizes an adult client interview using the 11 Functional Health Patterns, identifies two nursing diagnoses, and proposes one health-promotion strategy.
Write a 3–4 page evidence-based analysis of Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns data collected from one adult client and submit with APA references.
Complete the FHP template questions then analyze findings to support holistic nursing care planning in this 750–1,000-word assignment
References
Gengo e Silva Butcher, R. C., Jones, D. A., & Fawcett, J. (2021). An integrative review of comprehensive nursing assessment tools developed based on Gordon’s Eleven Functional Health Patterns. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 32(4), 294–305. https://doi.org/10.1111/2047-3095.12321
Khatiban, M., Keshvari, M., & Abdi, A. (2019). The effects of applying an assessment form based on the health functional patterns on nursing student’s attitude and skills in developing the nursing process. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 6(3), 329–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2019.06.004
Türen, S., Yildirim, C., & Tülü, A. (2020). A comparison of Gordon’s functional health patterns model and standard nursing care in symptomatic heart failure patients: A randomized controlled trial. Applied Nursing Research, 53, 151247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151247
e Silva, R. C. G., et al. (2024). Psychometric evaluation of the Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool – Modified Brazilian Version. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 32, e4119. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.6755.4119
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Assignment (Week 5 – Family Health Assessment Part II) Course: Health Assessment (NUR 310) – Week 5 Discussion and Written Synthesis. In 500–750 words, compare and contrast the individual client data from the FHP assignment with a family-focused assessment of the same household. Identify one family-level nursing diagnosis and one community resource referral. Post initial response by Wednesday and reply to two peers by Sunday.