CLASS 5: Conceptual Frameworks and

Assessment Guides
Announcements:

• E-Mail on IV calculation is due by 1pm for full credit.

• Class material and assignments related to CLASS 5 will be tested in CLASS
8.
• Class will take place completely from the web. Students without on-line
access at home can use the Computer Center in Dickinson Hall to complete
the classwork.

TOPIC : Conceptual Frameworks

For this on-line class meeting E-mail the following to your teacher. You can
compare your answers in an E-mail message or attach a file to E-mail. If you
attach a file, print a hard copy to bring to Class 6. Always keep a copy of E-mail
for yourself if it is for schoolwork. Use your assigned reading to do the class
tasks. Be sure your name is on your submission.

Task 1: Write a brief definition of these 4 words differentiating between them.

• assumption
• concept
• theory
• conceptual framework

Task 2: Nurses provide holistic care to their clients. Compare the different
frameworks and answer the question. Which ones seem to consider the client as a
whole?

Task 3: Nurses must be practical in planning and providing care. Compare the
different frameworks and answer the question: Which frameworks seem most
practical to use?

Task 4: Open up your Nursing Student Handbook to the philosophy for the nursing
program. Compare the FDU faculty definitions of humans, environment, health,
and nursing with the nursing theorists. Point out similarities or differences in each
of the four definitions.
TOPIC : Assessment Guides

Two rounds of assessments begin the Nursing Process The first assessment is a
generalized check of a patient (or client) as a whole. The second is a focused
assessment of a particular area of concern.

There are several formats for a carrying out the first general assessment. One of
these, developed by Gordon (1987), divides a client's functional abilities into 11
distinct patterns. How well a client is functioning in these different areas can be
evaluated with questions and observations. Sample questions are listed here to help
you understand the patterns.

TOPIC : Gordon's 11 Functional Patterns

Task 5: Ask yourself the following questions.

A. Identify the patterns showing high functioning. Under a title,

"FUNCTIONAL AREA" list these patterns.
B. Identify the patterns where functioning is currently a
problem or could become a problem. Under a tittle, "RISK
AREAS" list these patterns.

PATTERN OF HEALTH PERCEPTION & HEALTH MANAGEMENT

• How does the person describe her/ his current health?

• What does the person do to improve or maintain her/ his health?
• What does the person know about links between lifestyle choices and
health?
• How big a problem is financing health care for this person?
• Can this person report the names of current medications s/he is taking and
their purpose?
• If this person has allergies, what does s/he do to prevent problems?
• What does this person know about medical problems in the family?
• Have there been any important illnesses or injuries in this person's life?

NUTRITIONAL - METABOLIC PATTERN

• Is the person well nourished?

 • How do the person's food choices compare with recommended food intake?
• Does the person have any disease that effects nutritional- metabolic
function?

PATTERN OF ELIMINATION

• Are the person's excretory functions within the normal range?

• Does the person have any disease of the digestive system, urinary system or
skin?

PATTERN OF ACTIVITY & EXERCISE

• How does the person describe her/ his weekly pattern of activity and leisure,
exercise and recreation?
• Does the person have any disease that effects her/ his cardio-respiratory
system or musclo-skeletal system?

COGNITIVE - PERCEPTUAL PATTERN

• Does the person have any sensory deficits? Are they corrected?
• Can this person express her/ himself clearly and logically?
• How educated is this person?
• Does the person have any disease that effects mental or sensory functions?
• If this person has pain, describe it and it's causes.

PATTERN OF SLEEP & REST

• Describe this person's sleep-wake cycle.

• Does this person appear physically rested and relaxed?

PATTERN OF SELF PERCEPTION & SELF CONCEPT

• Is there anything unusual about this person's appearance?

• Does this person seem comfortable with her/ his appearance?
• Describe this person's feeling state?

ROLE - RELATIONSHIP PATTERN

• How does this person describe her/ his various roles in life?
• Has, or does this person now have positive role models for these roles?
• Which relationships are most important to this person at present?
• Is this person currently going though any big changes in role or
relationship? What are they?

SEXUALITY - REPRODUCTIVE PATTERN

 • Is this person satisfied with her/ his situation related to sexuality?
• How have the person's plans and experience matched regarding having
children?
• Does this person have any disease/ dysfunction of the reproductive system?

PATTERN OF COPING & STRESS TOLERANCE

• How does this person usually cope with problems?

• Do these actions help or make things worse?
• Has this person had any treatment for emotional distress?

PATTERN OF VALUES & BELIEFS

• What principals did this person learn as a child that are still important to
her/ him?
• Does this person identify with any cultural, ethnic, religious, regional,or
other groups?
• What support systems does this person currently have?

TOPIC : Gordon's Patterns Self-Test

Check your understanding of the differences between these 11 functional patterns,

and how a nursing diagnosis might express a dysfunction in one or more patterns.

Identify the specific functional pattern(s) that would be at-risk or dysfunctional for
the following nursing diagnoses to be made:

a. social isolation related to lack of transportation

b. chronic low self-esteem related to obesity
c. knowledge deficit [signs of hypoglycemia]
d. spiritual distress related to inability to practice religious rituals
e. diversional activity deficit related to long-term confinement to home
f. sleep pattern disturbance related to to sensory overload
g. ineffective family coping: disabling related to recurrent marital discord
h. role performance disturbance related to effects of chronic pain
i. potential for violence directed at others related to effects of hallucinations.

TOPIC: Assignments:

Assignments to prepare for CLASS 6