8.6 : Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern

Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.

Health Perception Patterns

Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:

1. Health perception-health management pattern: This involves understanding the patient's health practices related to the GI system. These include maintaining average body weight, proper dental care, adequate nutrition, and effective elimination habits.
2. Nutritional-metabolic pattern: A thorough nutrition assessment is essential. It involves taking a diet history and inquiring about content and amount or portion size, food preferences, and preparation. Any changes in appetite, food tolerance, and weight should be noted.
3. Elimination pattern: A detailed account of the patient's bowel elimination pattern should be elicited. It includes noting the frequency, time of day, and usual stool consistency. The presence of pain with bowel movements, if bowel movements relieve pain, and any recent changes in bowel patterns should be explored.
4. Activity-exercise pattern: Activity and exercise affect GI motility. Immobility is a risk factor for constipation. It means that assessing the patient's ambulatory status is crucial.
5. Sleep-rest pattern: GI symptoms can interfere with the quality of sleep. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and bloating can produce sleep problems.
6. Cognitive-perceptual pattern: Sensory changes can result in problems related to acquiring, preparing, and ingesting food. Changes in taste or smell can affect appetite and eating pleasure. Pain can also influence intake and disrupt eating patterns.