Running head: LIFESPAN REPORT
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Lifespan Report
Cali Trepp
N260 Lifespan Paper
Section #3
Alverno College
September 26, 2013
N260 Lifespan Paper
Rev. 8/1/2011
LIFESPAN REPORT
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Lifespan Report
To effectively fulfill the several roles of a nurse (care provider, care manager, educator,
and advocate), the nurse must first determine the patients’ health status. Health status can be
obtained by analyzing Gordon’s Functional Health Patters Tool (Edelman & Mandle, 2006, p.
130). This report is an assessment of an older adult woman’s lifespan to analyze health status.
The information provided was gathered by an Alverno College nursing student with the use of
Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns Tool.
Older Adult
The individual is 65 years old and is categorized as an older adult. The developmental
stage of this individual identified by Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development is ego vs.
despair (Edelman & Mandel, 2006, p. 340). This stage is categorized by the reflection of
accomplishments and events in past life. Lasting outcomes include either rejection or
understanding. The client has not accomplished the goals of this developmental stage. This is
evidenced by the yearning for another partner after husband’s death. The client has not accepted
current her state of being single. The individual also has not retired from the work force which
has not allowed her to holistically reflect on occupational endeavors. Client also does not meet
outcomes of ego vs. despair as evidenced by the continuous search for ways to obtain more
energy. This suggests she had not accepted some normal occurrences with aging such as
decreased amount of energy.
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Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns
Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns are patterns which the nurse explores to provide an
elaborate and comprehensive data base. Eleven patterns are utilized to gather information which
can be used to efficiently analyze the client’s health status (Edelman & Mandle, 2006, p. 132).
Health Perception-Health Management Pattern
The Health Perception-Health Management Pattern is used to provide an overview of
how the client views their own health. It also obtains information about their health practices
which lead to them to their current health state (Edelman & Mandle, 2006, p. 134). The client
views herself in excellent health. She reports having no illness in the past year. The use of
organic foods and vitamin supplements aid her in her nutritional health status. The client reports
using self-breast exams to examine breast health. The Alverno College student nurse upon
objective review notes that client is slender, has clear skin with even coloring, and maintains eye
contact and good posture.
Nutrition-Metabolic Pattern
The Nutrition-Metabolic Pattern assesses the individual’s nutrient intake and metabolic
need (Edelman & Mandle, 2006, p. 135). The client vocalizes having the following 24 hour
dietary intake: breakfast: protein shake consisting of almond milk, psyllium, and nutritional
brewer’s yeast, apple, banana, string cheese, 24 oz. water, and 16 oz. coffee; lunch: salad
containing spinach, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, ½ mango, Greek vinaigrette, can of sardines in
olive oil, and sweet potato chips with hummus; dinner: homemade chicken vegetable soup and
12 oz. water; snack: organic raspberry fudgecicle; desert: 1 cup of raisin bran and ½ cup of milk.
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The client reports weighting 120 pound and that she gained about 2 pounds in the past year. She
states that she has a good appetite and has not discomfort when she eats. She mentions that she is
allergic to eggs but no other foods. The individual notes that she does not have any skin
conditions or dental problems, but says that she has “bad teeth” because she did not have
toothpaste until the age of 10. Upon the objective review of the skin, the student nurse does not
observe any bony prominences, lessons, moistness, or color changes.
Elimination Pattern
The Elimination pattern refers to the function of the bowel, bladder, and skin (Edelman &
Mandle, 2006, p. 136). The client pronounces that she has bowel movements once or twice every
day, usually in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon after eating. The individual recalls
no use of laxatives or discomfort by gas. As reported by the client, her stools are usually brown
and of good consistency. She reports urinating around eight times a day, in which the urine does
not have a foul smell and the color is a faded yellow.
Activity-Exercise Pattern
Activity-Exercise Pattern analyzes the clients activity patters, exercise, and activities
performed in leisure. The client vocalizes waking up at 5 every morning. She stressed that this
pattern in very hard for her sometimes and that often she is left tired. When asked to describe her
pattern of physical activity, the client states that she performs hard physical work at her job for
four hours, she cleans for another 4 hours at her second job, and lastly, she comes home to walk
the dog for about 45 minutes. At night, the client says that she “passes out.” In her free time,
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client mentions that she likes to read. The individual reports having some trouble performing
physical tasks (lifting heavy objects) but gets out of bed easily.
Sleep-Rest Pattern
The Sleep-Rest Pattern assesses the client’s perception of sleep and rest (Edelman &
Mandle, 2006, p. 138). The client reports receiving 7 hours of sleep each night. She also states
that she wishes she had at least 8 ½ hour of sleep. As stated by the individual, she does not have
any sleep problems and recalls good dreams with the occasional dream of her father spanking her
and of her resolving issues. The client also says she tries to take a 15 minute nap during lunch if
she had time. Client says that lack of sleep occurs from not having enough time because she
needs to perform certain tasks each day.
Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern
The Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern includes the analysis of the individual to understand
concepts, follow directions, solver problems, and make decisions. The client states that decisions
which are important are “never easily or not always difficult.” She recalls no change in memory.
The individual also states that the best way for her to learn is by doing the task and she has no
problems with learning new concepts. Lastly, the client speaks of starting to have some difficulty
in hearing and a recent decline in eyesight.
Self-Perception-Self Concept Pattern
The Self-Perception-Self Concept Pattern identifies how the individual feels about
himself/herself (Edelman & Mandle, 2006, p. 140). In questioning about how she feels about
herself, the client reports that she feels great about herself and that she is a very confident person.
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When asked about how she feels about her body, she said that she feels good but she wishes she
had more energy. She also states that her hips and legs are not what they used to be and that now
they are not as strong. She says that she has had some trouble stepping onto stools at work lately
and that it is difficult to get up the ladders.
Roles-Relationships Pattern
The Roles-Relationships Pattern describes the positions taken and the relationships
involved in by the individual (Edelman & Mandle, 2006, p. 140). The client reports husband
dying earlier in her life and that she remarried but then got a divorce. She states that she now
rents out space in her house to two college students. The client reveals that her mother and father
a both alive and her mother is living with dementia. She mentions that she takes care of her
mother, father, and aunt by proving food, cleaning, and repair work. The individual reports
having one child and a grandson. When asked about her friendships, the client states that she has
close friends but she is so busy that she does not have time to see them. She stressed that her
main accompaniment is her dog.
Sexuality-Reproductive Pattern
The Sexuality-Reproductive Pattern assesses the individual’s reproductive functioning,
approaches to intimacy, and reproductive organs (Edelman & Mandle, 2006, p. 145). The client
states that she has one son whom which she had with her first husband who passed away. She
says that after that she got remarried but it did not work out so she divorced him. The individual
reports having an affair after her last marriage but ended it and has been single for 3 years. The
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client reports using no contraceptives because she is not currently sexually active and reveals that
she has gone through menopause.
Coping-Stress-Tolerance Pattern
The Coping Stress- Tolerance Pattern describes the effectiveness of the individual to
manage stress and cope with situations (Edelman & Mandle, 2006, p. 145). The client reports
going through a depression after her dog dies last March. She says that this was also a time when
her father was having open heart surgery and that this was very hard for her. Factors which
helped her cope stated by the client were her father getting better after the surgery, weather
getting nice, and time. The individual describes herself as a relaxed person but mentions that
because she has such a high amount of work load, she needs a high amount of energy. If a
problem occurs, the client states that she is very good at handling situations and that her
strategies in problem solving and coping are very successful.
Values-Beliefs Pattern
The Values-Beliefs Pattern assesses the individual’s values and beliefs. When asked what
her values were, the client stated the following: health, wellness, food, friends, animals, family,
and self. She vocalized that religion for her is not practiced traditionally but she does believe in
God. She also states that one goal she has for the future is to fix up a house next door.
Conclusion
In analyzing Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns, the student nurse found data which
yielded two possible nursing diagnoses. These diagnoses were: ineffective sleep pattern R/T
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extensive workload AEB feeling tired in the morning and wanting more energy, and risk for
injury R/T weakness in legs and hips AEB having trouble stepping up onto a stool. These
diagnoses were chosen because there was substantial data relating to the client needing and
wanting more energy to last her throughout the day and because the client also reported feeling
weak in her legs and hips. In her developmental stage, risks for injury are very common.
Assessment Data
Nursing Diagnosis
Client vocalizes receiving 7 hours of sleep in 24 Ineffective sleep pattern R/T extensive workload
hours
AEB feeling tired in the morning and wanting
Client states she would like more energy and
more energy
that she is tired in the morning
Client states she would like 8 ½ hours of sleep
Client reports large amounts of physical
activity
Client reports not having enough time to sleep
Client reports weakness in legs and hips
Risk for injury R/T weakness in legs and hips AEB
Client reports needing more energy
having trouble stepping up onto a stool
Client reports large amount of physical activity
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Self-Assessment
From this paper, I learned how to fulfill some roles of being nurse. I was able to
accurately collect data from a client and provide a nursing diagnoses using previous knowledge.
I believe I demonstrated well how to use Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns to provide
extensive knowledge about the client. One strength in my work was my ability to form a nursing
diagnosis. This was also part due to the fact that she was a very healthy individual and she did
not have many red flags indicating unhealthy behaviors. Two areas for improvement would be
being able to describe the health patterns and also coming up with even more questions to
provide more information about the client. Communication, social interaction, and problem
solving were all abilities used to perform this assessment. Communication and social interaction
were used to extract information from the client and problem solving was used to formulate
nursing diagnoses. Overall, I believe my work was thorough and covered all the criteria asked.
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Reference
Edelman, C. & Mandle, C. (2010). Health promotion throughout the lifespan
(7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
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Life span Nursing Assessment: Concepts, Theories, Skills and Tools
LIFESPAN NURSING ASSESSMENT PERMISSION FORM
__________________________ (student name) has my permission to interview me or another
person for whom I am responsible (i.e. child, older adult) for the purpose of conducting a life
span nursing assessment. I understand this activity is to satisfy course requirements in the
nursing program of studies at Alverno College. I further understand that the written report of the
life span assessment interview will be shared with the student’s instructor, and returned to the
student once it has been evaluated. Additionally, to maintain confidentiality of the interview
information, only the individual’s initials will be used in the written report.
________________________________________
Signature of individual granting permission
________________________
Date
________________________________________
Signature of student
_________________________
Date
Would you also please provide a current phone number and address? We will only use this
contact information if we need to speak with you after the student interview. Also, this contact
information will not be kept with the student’s written report of the interview.
_____________________________________________________________________
Address
_____________________________________________________________________
Phone
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Criteria Sheet for Lifespan Development Assessment
Student Name: Cali Trepp
Criteria:
Date: 10/3/13
1.
Effectively interact with a self-selected client to gather appropriate lifespan information.
Evidence: I interacted effectively by obtaining a lot of information about the client.
There was a lot of evidence provided in each pattern about the client. Some questions required
follow up questions to provide more information.
2.
Accurately use functional health patterns as lifespan assessment instrument to collect the
database.
Example: Each of the functional health patterns were used to college data about the
client. Appropriate questions were used in each area which directly targeted the pattern they
were aimed to describe. A holistic data collection was supplied with the use of these patterns.
3.
Accurately use a lifespan theory to analyze client data.
Example: The lifespan stage was given and explained. The main event of goal (reflection)
was mentioned and specific examples were given as to how she did not meet the goal of her
developmental age. Appropriate questions for the 65 year-old were used to analyze client data.
4.
Proficiently use appropriate Level 3 writing ability and professional nursing language.
Correctly applies APA format throughout the lifespan assessment written report.
Example: APA formal was correctly used. No original format was changed and in text
citations contained author, date, and page number. Professional nursing language was
used and two nursing diagnoses were derived from the collected data. I believe these
diagnoses to be great nursing diagnoses considering the patient was very healthy.
5.
Appropriately describes 2 nursing diagnoses that relate to the client assessment data.
Example: Two nursing diagnoses were chosen based on the data presented in the paper.
These diagnoses were described in detail and an explanation was presented as to why the
nurse chose these diagnoses.
6.
Assess own performance.
Example: A self-assessment was provided at the end of the paper. This self-assessment
addressed two areas to improve on and one area of strength. Overall, I felt like a did a good job!
FACULTY COMMENTS:
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___________________________________________ __________________________
Student signature
Date
___________________________________________ __________________________
Faculty signature
Date
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