Grand Canyon University
September 29, 2012
Family Health Assessment
Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns is a system that was created by Marjorie Gordon in 1987. This system served as a guide to establishing a broader nursing database. These assessments include things such as evaluations of patterns within a family with corresponding details in an interdependent pattern. Gordon’s 11 functional health patterns consist of values/health perception, nutrition, sleep/rest, elimination, activity/exercise, cognitive, self perception, role relationship, sexuality, and coping. Each method is designed to collect information using a systematic and standardized approach. The collected information helps a nurse determine human health and functioning. The patterns can be used to determine how a family interacts with each other and deals with their everyday life. According to Ross, C. E (1990), it is in the family that the macro-level social and economic order affects individual physical and emotional well-being. Because family has such a huge impact on health promotion, it is important for nurses to assess and thoroughly understand a family as a whole. This essay will describe the obtained information on the Joseph family by using the 11 functional health patterns.
The values and health perception pattern primarily looks at a person’s view of values and beliefs. The Joseph family had health perceptions that focused on maintaining their wellbeing. Proper dieting, immunizations, and regular checkups were all main interests on the Joseph’s family perception of health. Mr. Joseph is a diabetic, so a healthy diet is crucial in the family. When the whole family changes the way they eat to accommodate Mr. Joseph’s eating style, he gains a sense of motivation and encouragement from the family to improve his health. Mr. Joseph takes the medication that his physician prescribed him. No one in the family smokes, but casual drinking is common during special