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Family Health Assessment Essay The emphasis of Gordon’s functional health patterns concentrates on 11 categories which include: health perception/management, nutritional/metabolic, elimination, activity/exercise, cognitive/perceptual, sleep/rest, self perception/self concept, role/relationship, sexuality/reproductive, coping/stress tolerance, and value/beliefs (Nursing Planet, 2013). These series of questions are effective when accumulating data that can be interpreted and diagnoses can be applied for actual, as well as potential issues. Issues are identified, decisions on interventions, education, and promotion of a realistic, as well as a practical lifestyle (Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle, 2014) can be chosen. Discussion in detail of the interview from the Gouker family assessment follows. They have six daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Gouker have been married for 40 years. Utilizing the 11 functional health patterns by Gordon, a family assessment was completed on the Gouker family. The emphasis of health perception/promotion centers on the individuals’ impression of their wellness and how they govern their health (Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle, 2014). Due to their age, the Gouker family’s health perception presently revolves around their yearly health examinations and eating healthy. Mr. Gouker is 74 years old and Mrs. Gouker is 68. Mr. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) revealed that only after having experienced weakness did he begin having annual examinations, as he had been healthy his entire life. Mr. Gouker does not take any prescribed medications. Mrs. Gouker participates in yearly examinations and currently has blood work completed every six months due to her chronic diabetes mellitus. Mrs. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) currently takes daily medications for this condition. Since Mrs. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) shops for the family, she stated that they only consume chicken and fish, which is broiled, and scarcely eats beef or pork. She also prepares vegetables with the evening meal. Snacks consist of fresh fruits. The primary meal is dinner, which is eaten together. Mr. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) states that breakfast consists of coffee and rarely has time for lunchtime. Mrs. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) eats breakfast daily which consists of coffee and toast, whereas lunch consists of a salad. Mrs. Gouker has scheduled dentist visits every six months, whereas Mr. Gouker only schedules dental visits every year. According to Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle (2014), elimination pivots around the expulsion of contents in the bowel and bladder, but also includes the skin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gouker prefer to drink water and they frequently urinate. Mr. Gouker (personal communication, March 21, 2014) states, that he has multiple bowel movements daily, whereas Mrs. Gouker has daily bowel movements. Mr. and Mrs. Gouker bathe daily. As stated by Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle (2014), activity and exercise concentrates on the patterns pertaining to activity, exercise, recreation, and leisure. Mrs. Gouker is retired and Mr. Gouker owns a business. Mrs. Gouker utilizes the treadmill for walking. Leisure and recreational activities include yearly travel, and attending professional sporting events. The main focus of cognitive and perceptions are patterns seen in regards to cognition, perception, and the senses (Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle, 2014). Mr. Gouker has an Associate’s degree in business administration, whereas Mrs. Gouker graduated high school. When expressing his views on pain management, Mr. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) stated he rarely experiences pain, but if the situation arises he will take an Aleve. Mrs. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) expressed that she only takes Aleve for pain or discomfort. Mrs. Gouker finds satisfaction in reading and completing crossword puzzles, whereas Mr. Gouker manages the business. The main concept of sleep and rest centers on patterns which give priority to sleep, rest, and relaxation (Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle, 2014). Mr. Gouker sleeps four to seven hours per night while Mrs. Gouker sleeps seven to eight hours per night. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) state they unwind by watching their favorite television programs or sitting in their rocking chairs on the porch. According to Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle (2014), the focal point of self perception and self concept is on the persons’ viewpoint of themselves which correlate to their self esteem, their self worth, and body appearance. Mr. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) believes that he can accomplish anything he so chooses. He believes that whether a person is a success or failure depends upon your state of mind. Mrs. Gouker perceives herself as a kindhearted woman and views herself as a genuine individual who is helpful to those around her. With regards to body image, Mr. Gouker stands five foot nine inches tall and weighs 175 lbs and is aware that he is overweight. Mrs. Gouker is five foot four inches tall and weighs 182 pounds and perceives herself as slovenly. The focal point of the role and relationship patterns centers on the persons role in the family and the relationship they have with the other family members (Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle, 2014). Mrs. Gouker cherishes being a mother and wife. Mr. Gouker (personal communication, March 11, 2014) states that he is blessed. He loves being a father and provider to all his children. Both Mrs. and Mrs. Gouker are content with their personal relationships with family and friends. According to Edelman, Kudzma, Mandle (2014), the patterns of sexuality and reproduction center on the individuals’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their sexual style. Mrs. Gouker was modest when speaking of their sexual relationship, yet Mr. Gouker was open. Both parties are content with their sexual relationship and have no complaints concerning sex. The focus of coping and stress tolerance pertains to how the individual detects stress and the techniques utilized when encountering stressful events (Edelman, Zudzma Mandl, 2014). This family has always used communication skills to rectify any problems. Prayer is utilized and their faith that God’s guidance assists them. Edelman, Zudzma Mandle (2014) noted that patterns in relation to values and beliefs focus on spiritual beliefs, values, and goals that direct those choices. The Gouker’s are Lutheran and attend services weekly. Upon interview completion of the Gouker family, two wellness and family diagnoses are: Both are at risk for imbalanced nutrition: more than body requirements since their individual body mass index (BMI) both exceed 20 percent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gouker are at risk for body images disturbance. Education for the Gouker’s included the impact of exercise and how this will decrease their body mass index. It is evident that nurses impact the lives of those being cared for regardless of the setting. Education is instrumental is assisting patients and their families to make positive changes in promoting a healthier lifestyle. References Edelman, C. , Kudzma, C. Mandle, C. L. (2014). Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span (8 ed. ). : VitalSource Bookshelf. Nursing Plant. (2013). Functional Health Patterns. Retrieved March 11, 2014 from www. nursingplanet. com/theory/functional_health_patterns. html Appendix 1)Health prevention and health management. a. How do you feel about keeping your regular doctor visits? b. What, as an individual, do you do to support your health? 2)Nutritional and metabolic a. Regarding your dental needs, what are your oral habits? b. What are your nutritional practices like in general? c. What sort of foods do you consistently eat? 3)Elimination a. How do you manage your bladder and bowel habits? b. What do you do to take care of your skin? 4)Activity and exercise a. How do you spend your time off from work? b. When participating in leisure interests, how many hours do you devote on a weekly basis? c. What do you do for getaways? 5)Cognitive and perceptual a. How do you manage pain? b. What exercises do you do participate in to improve your memory? 6)Sleep and rest a. As an individual, how do you relax? b. On average, how many hours do you sleep at night and what are your sleeping patterns like? 7 )Self perception and self concept a. What is your prospective on your self image today? . In regards to your body image, how do you view your body image? 8)Role and relationships a. As an individual within your family, what is your position in the family? b. In your current position within your family, what makes you satisfied or dissatisfied? 9)Sexual and reproduction a. With your current sexual relationship, are both individuals satisfied or unsatisfied? 10) Coping and stress tolerance a. How do you handle stress? b. When managing situations that are stressful, what do you do? 11)Value and beliefs a. What is your religious denomination? b. In regards to your religion, what guides you towards your goals?