Clients’ functional health patterns (individuals, families, or communities) evolve from client-environment interaction. Each pattern is an expression of biopsychosocial integration; thus no one pattern can be understood without knowledge of the other patterns.

Functional patterns are influenced by biological, developmental, cultural, social, and spiritual factors. A functional pattern represents a healthy set of behaviors. Dysfunctional health patterns (described by nursing diagnoses) may occur with disease; dysfunctional health patterns may also lead to disease.

The judgment of whether a pattern is functional or dysfunctional is made by comparing assessment data to one or more of the following:

A particular pattern has to be evaluated in the context of other patterns and its contribution to optimal function of the client. The definitions of the health patterns are listed here.

Describes the client’s perceived pattern of health and well-being and how health is managed. Includes the individual’s perception of health status and its relevance to current activities and future planning. Also included is the individual’s health-risk management and general healthcare behavior, such as safety practices and adherence to mental and physical
health promotion activities, medical or nursing prescriptions, and follow-up care.

Describes pattern of food and fluid consumption relative to metabolic need and pattern indicators of local nutrient supply. Includes the individual’s patterns of food and fluid consumption: daily eating times, the types and quantity of food and fluids consumed, particular food preferences, and the use of nutrient or vitamin supplements. Describes breastfeeding and infant feeding patterns. Includes reports of any skin lesions, ability to heal, and measures of body temperature, height, and weight. General appearance of well-being and condition of skin, hair, nails, mucous membranes, and teeth are included.

Describes patterns of excretory function (bowel, bladder, and skin). Includes the individual’s perceived regularity of excretory function, use of routines or laxatives for bowel elimination, and any changes or disturbances in time pattern, mode of excretion, quality, or quantity of elimination. Also included are any devices used to control excretion.

Describes pattern of exercise, activity, leisure, and recreation. Includes activities of daily living requiring energy expenditure, such as hygiene, cooking, shopping, eating, working, and home maintenance. Also included are the type, quantity, and quality of exercise, including sports, that describe the typical pattern for the individual. Leisure patterns are also included and describe the activities the client undertakes as recreation either with a group or as an individual. Emphasis is on the activities of high importance or significance and any limitations. Factors that interfere with desired or expected activities for the individual (such as neuromuscular deficits and
compensations, dyspnea, angina, or muscle cramping on exertion, and cardiac/pulmonary classification, if appropriate) are also included.

Describes patterns of sleep, rest, and relaxation. Includes patterns of sleep and rest/relaxation periods during the 24-hour day. This pattern includes perception of the quality and quantity of sleep and rest, perception of energy level after sleep, and any sleep disturbances, as well as aids to sleep such as medications or nighttime routines that the individual uses.

Describes sensory-perceptual and cognitive pattern. It includes the adequacy of sensory modes, such as vision, hearing, taste, touch, and smell, and the compensation or prostheses currently used. Reports of pain perception and how pain is managed are included when appropriate. Also included are cognitive functional abilities such as language, memory, judgment, and decision making.

Describes self-concept pattern and perceptions of mood state. Includes the individual’s attitudes about self, perception of abilities (cognitive, affective, or physical), body image, identity, general sense of worth, and general emotional pattern. Body posture and movement, eye contact, voice, and speech pattern are included.

Describes pattern of role engagements and relationships. Includes the individual’s perception of the major roles and responsibilities in his or her current life situation. Satisfaction or disturbances in family, work, or social relationships and responsibilities related to these roles are included.

Describes patterns of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with sexuality; describes reproductive pattern. Includes the individual’s perceived satisfaction or reports of disturbances in his or her sexuality. Included also is the female’s reproductive stage (premenopause or postmenopause) and any perceived problems.

Describes general coping pattern and effectiveness of the pattern in terms of stress tolerance. Includes the individual’s reserve or capacity to resist challenge to self-integrity, modes of handling stress, family or other support systems, and perceived ability to manage stressful situations.

Describes patterns of values, goals, or beliefs (including spiritual) that guide choices or decisions. Includes what is perceived as important in life, quality of life, and any perceived conflicts in values, beliefs, or expectations that are health related.