The 11 Gordon functional health pattern was used to conduct my family health assessment. Marjorie Gordon’s functional health pattern serves as a comprehensive nursing data base guide. By utilizing the 11 categories, nurses are able to determine various aspects of health and human function (Gordon 1987). The 11 functional health patterns according to Gordon are as follows: health perception/health management, nutrition, elimination, activity/exercise, cognitive, sleep/rest, self perception/self concept, roles and relationships, sexuality and reproduction, coping and stress tolerance, values and belief.
This paper summarizes the findings from the assessment for each health pattern and family-based nursing diagnoses. The assessment utilized developmental and system-based theory guides, as well as web-based resources, to promote health and prevent illness within the family. The initial focus of the assessment was on the health perception and management pattern, which examines an individual’s well-being, habits, and behaviors related to maintaining good health. In this assessment, the writer selected her own family composition: a father (50 years old), a mother (33 years old), and five children aged 12, 10, 8, 7, and 4 months old.
The family has a history of diabetes and hypertension, with two uncles from the maternal side dying due to complications related to diabetes. However, no family members engage in risky health behaviors such as smoking tobacco, using drugs, or consuming alcohol. They only use prescribed medications for hypertension and over-the-counter medications for common cold and flu symptoms, as well as sleeping/relaxation medications. Regarding nutrition, they steer clear of high sodium foods because of their family’s history of high blood pressure.
On weekends, the family typically eats together. However, during the week, the children have breakfast and lunch at school while dinner is prepared by the mother. In order to allow for a two-hour gap before bed, everyone eats at different times. Additionally, each family member takes a daily multivitamin pill as a dietary supplement. As for elimination, they follow a consistent bowel and bladder routine without experiencing diarrhea or constipation issues. They do not require laxatives to aid with bowel movements.
The children are urged to consume water and consume fresh fruits and vegetables as a component of their everyday dinner menu. Nonetheless, the father has difficulties with both falling asleep and staying asleep, whereas the mother and kids have no issues sleeping for six to eight hours. On occasion, he can only sleep for three hours or at most five to six hours using sleeping medication. Since all the children attend school, the parent ensures they go to bed by 9:00 pm so they can obtain sufficient rest and wake up rejuvenated in the morning to prepare for school.
The family remains physically active, though they do not participate in exercise on a daily basis. The kids have swimming lessons two times per week, and the whole family goes skating every Sunday evening. When it comes to making decisions, the parents are in charge but take into account the children’s input if it is pertinent. Regarding medical treatment, professional help is sought if symptoms persist for more than seven days even after trying over-the-counter medications and home remedies.
When one of the children shows signs of a cold or flu, their mother who is a nurse gives them over-the-counter medicines for these typical illnesses. However, if the medicine doesn’t work, the child is taken to the hospital to be examined by a pediatrician. Nevertheless, the family feels satisfied with their own achievements as they have a positive self-perception and strong self-esteem. The father works as an accountant and the mother is registered as a nurse. They are fortunate to have five children – four girls and one boy – all of whom excel academically and have been recognized on the honors row.
Both parents work and oversee the family’s finances, while also ensuring their children exhibit excellent behavior, conduct, participation, and accomplishments at school for which they are acknowledged. Additionally, the family maintains positive connections with other families in the community. Household tasks are distributed among the kids according to their age, leaving the financial responsibilities to the parents.
Both couples participate in various household tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, and helping their children with school work. They engage in sexual activities mainly for the purpose of reproduction and express overall satisfaction with their sex life. Despite having demanding work schedules – the father working from 9am to 7-8pm and the mother working from 11pm to 7:30am – they still prioritize spending time together as a couple and taking care of their children. The mother uses an intra-uterine device (IUD) as her preferred method of birth control after giving birth to five children. To evaluate the family’s ability to handle stress effectively, the coping-stress pattern assessment is employed.
The main source of stress for this family is the conflicting work schedules. The father takes care of the four-month-old baby while the mother works the night shift. Unfortunately, their extended family members do not live close by and cannot help out. However, they receive great support from their church community, who often take the children to church programs when both parents are unavailable. The difficulty arises when they need someone to watch over the kids during times when they want to have alone time together as a couple. Although most of the stress comes from family-related issues, both parents communicate well and make decisions together during challenging times.
Father occasionally uses medication for sleep or relaxation, while mother does not take any medication and can easily fall asleep once the children are at school and the four-month-old baby is asleep. The family’s cultural practices reflect their values, beliefs, and spiritual life. They follow cultural norms regarding acceptable behavior, traditional remedies, attire, and food preferences. However, they turn to medical treatment from doctors and specialists when it comes to health promotion and illness prevention, seeking assistance at clinics or hospitals.
The family, who are Christian, strongly believe in the power of fasting and praying. They actively seek God’s guidance in all situations and receive support from their church community. They value and prioritize spending quality time together, showing a deep respect for each other. Additionally, they are open-minded and adaptable, willingly embracing aspects of western lifestyle.
After an assessment, two wellness nursing diagnoses were identified: disturbed sleep pattern caused by night shift rotation and readiness for enhanced family coping due to lack of child care support. The father faces difficulty getting enough sleep while taking care of their four-month-old baby at night when the mother is working.
Both couples have agreed that the mother will now work three days a week instead of five. Additionally, she has chosen to pursue her baccalaureate degree in nursing by returning to school. This adjustment in her work schedule allows her to assist with caring for the baby at night, enabling the father to get some rest and granting her more time for studying. Furthermore, they have jointly decided to manage their finances together until the mother finishes her education and the baby becomes older and begins sleeping through the night. They acknowledge the importance of working as a team and providing support during this temporary situation since looking after five children can be demanding.
The health promotion strategies for enhancing family coping involve improving coping ability, enhancing functioning, and enriching lifestyle. In order to assess this readiness, it is crucial to understand each family member’s perception of the issue. The nurse plays a role in facilitating open communication and encouraging the family to express their concerns and fears. Through this process, the family can reach an agreement on how to address the identified issues and find resolution. It is important that goals set are realistic and achievable. For instance, if the mother reduces her work hours to help care for the baby, both parents should mutually agree on managing their resources and finances while she continues her education.
The nurse should recommend various methods to encourage relaxation, including engaging in relaxation activities, taking a hot shower, and listening to music. Moreover, the nurse can offer online resources that focus on sleep/rest disorders and stress management. By understanding the family’s structure, interrelationships among members, and stages of life, the nurse can anticipate the overall dynamic of the family. This anticipation is based on Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development which emphasizes different developmental stages.
Edelman (2010) states that families experience different stages in life, such as marriage, childbirth, and the aging process of family members. These transitions lead to new phases, each building on the previous one. This progression enables families to enhance their health, receive necessary intervention, and accomplish objectives. For example, if a family alters their work schedule to care for their children and reduce sleep deprivation-induced stress, it will benefit both parents and positively impact the development of their children.
When it comes to healthcare, the nurse recognizes the significance of considering the family as a whole and delivering care that addresses their specific needs. To plan and implement health promotions effectively, it is essential for the nurse to conduct a thorough assessment of the family’s health. By utilizing the 11 Gordon functional health pattern, the nurse can collect necessary information to provide tailored health promotion and intervention services that meet the family’s individual requirements. The utilization of developmental and system theories also serves as valuable resources for nurses during family assessments.
References: Edelman, C.
L., Health Promotion throughout the Life Span (7th Ed) 2010, St. Louis, Missiouri: Mosby Elsevier. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm. www.pbs.org/livelihood/nightshift/wenresources.html. Koshar J, “N340 Woman’s Health & Illness in the Expanding Family & N345 Clinical Practicum” http://www.sonoma.edu/users/k/kosher/N340/N345_Gordon_FHP.html. ,[Fact sheet]. August 17, 2012 Weber, J, R. (2005). Nurses handbook of health assessment, 5th edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams Wilkins
