This document describes Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns, which are used to organize client health data. The patterns include health perception/management, nutritional-metabolic, elimination, activity-exercise, cognitive-perceptual, sleep-rest, self-perception, role-relationship, sexuality-reproductive, coping/stress tolerance, and values-beliefs. Each pattern describes an area of client health and provides examples of related data that would be assessed.

1. 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