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Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns: Practice Activity

Read the following scenario and write what types of questions or tests you would give the

patient to correspond with each pattern as defined in Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns. We

will discuss this in the Discussion Questions. Please go to Discussion Questions link on the left-

hand menu and go over Power Point presentation and other resource material for this Unit to

help you do the activity.

The scenario: Mrs. Mary Acosta is a 55-year-old female who was admitted to the

hospital with a medical diagnosis of diabetes Type-II and hyperglycemia (blood

sugar 400) and vomiting; states she was diagnosed with diabetes 5 years ago.

1. Client Profile MA is a 55-year-old white female born in New York. She grew up in Austin Texas, where she

lived with her husband of for years. Her major reason for seeking health care is extreme

weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Source of history is the client, who seems reliable.

2. Treatment/Medications (a) Glucophage: 10 mg in morning at breakfast and 5 mg after dinner (antidiabetic agent) (b) Over-the-counter drugs: None

3. Past Illnesses/Hospitalizations Diabetes mellitus type-II for 5 years

Peripheral vascular disease

4. Allergies (a) Codeine, generalized rash (b) Denies any food and environmental allergies

5. Developmental History Developmental level: Integrity vs. despair (Erikson’s Maturity Stage) Describes herself as one of

eight children who never had enough to eat; hence, she was sent to an uncle in Texas. This she

regrets because she was never allowed to return to visit her family until she was grown. States “I

smoked heavily (two packs a day) but stopped when I was diagnosed with diabetes.” MA has

been married for 30 years and attends a Baptist church with her husband periodically

Write at least 4 questions you would ask and 4 observations you would make of Ms. Acosta that

would help you diagnose her.

Name of Pattern Questions to ask Ms. Acosta Observations to make