Children’s Functional Health Pattern Assessment
Functional Health Pattern Assessment (FHP)

Toddler
Erickson’s Developmental Stage:

Preschool-Aged
Erickson’s Developmental Stage:

School-Aged
Erickson’s Developmental Stage:

Pattern of Health Perception and Health Management:

List two normal assessment findings that would be characteristic for each age group.

List two potential problems that a nurse may discover in an assessment of each age group.

Reference:
Edelman, C., Kudzma, E., & Mandle, C. (2014)
Brushing teeth and washing hands are basic health promotional activities that a toddler can perform at direction of parent.

Cry when hungry or tired, or uncomfortable.
Uses 3-4 word sentences to with essential words only

Preschoolers are curious about their body and their functions
Able to express own feelings or discomforts in limited capacity.

A child’s cultural influence may also play a role in the child’s view of illness.

Cavities may be common if dental care is neglected

Underdeveloped gross and motor skills with crawling and sitting.
Underdeveloped language skills

Preschoolers are at risk for infection if their immunizations are not up to date
Poor vocabulary or mental ability

School age children can learn poor health habits by imitating caregivers
Nutritional-Metabolic Pattern:

List two normal assessment findings that would be characteristic for each age group.

List two potential problems that a nurse may discover in an assessment of each age group.

Reference:
Edelman, C., Kudzma, E., & Mandle, C. (2014)
Toddlers begin weaning from breastfeeding and bottles and transitioning to modified cups and cutlery

Toddlers can feed themselves with their hands or with a spoon and can drink from a cup
As early childhood progresses, intense food preferences are seen

Eats smaller portions at more frequent intervals
An average of 1200 to 1800calories per day are recommended for school-aged children

Increased body awareness

Evidence of delayed physical development

Vomiting after eating may be a sign of food allergy in the toddler.

Preschoolers may eat excessive amounts of junk food

Diarrhea, nausea, or constipation may occur
School-age children may suffer from obesity

Access to food and cultural factors may contribute to poor nutrition in school-aged children, especially if they are living in poverty
Pattern of Elimination:

List two normal assessment findings that would be characteristic for each age group.

List two potential problems that a nurse may discover in an assessment of each age group.

Reference
Edelman, C., Kudzma, E., & Mandle, C. (2014)
Toddlers are ready to begin beginning toilet training

Urine clear and odorless

Asks to use the bathroom independently

Preschoolers are aware of basic hygiene after toileting, although they may forget to flush the toilet when they are done using it
The school-age child has full bowel and bladder control by age 5

They may be very private about hygiene and toileting

There is also the potential for failure if the parent is unable to keep a relaxed attitude and accept delays

Inconsistent stool pattern

Nocturnal bed wetting

Preschoolers may forget to flush toilet or wash hands after toileting and may not have adequate motor skills for proper genital hygiene after using the restroom
Enuresis and bedwetting affects 5-7million children in the United States. Encopresis(stool incontinence) after age four can also be a problem.

Constipation from inappropriate eating habits
Pattern of Activity and Exercise:

List two normal assessment findings that would be characteristic for each age group.

List two potential problems that a nurse may discover in an assessment of each age group.

Reference
Edelman, C., Kudzma, E., & Mandle, C. (2014)
Toddlers are active when not sleeping. Many activities are repetitive, which provides opportunities for new skills

Toddlers advance from taking their first steps to running, then onto climbing and tricycle riding