Name: Mary Czarnecki
MODULE 6 – FOCUS QUESTIONS
CHAPTERS 22, 23, 24
Chapter 22
1. Using Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns as a guide, provide 1-2 key factors you
learned about physical and/or psychosocial changes occurring during the young adult
years that influence health promotion: (14 pts)
a. Health perception – Health Management Pattern: Health care services for young
adults are important opportunities for disease prevention and health screenings. The
majority of young adults consider their health to be very good to excellent. The
decision-making of a young adult directly affects health and well-being. Peak
physical skills stimulate young adults to be venturesome, daring, enterprising, and
aggressive.
b. Nutritional – Metabolic Pattern: During young adulthood, a young adult male requires
approximately 2400 to 3000 calories a day, whereas a young adult female requires
1800 to 2400 calories. Among young adults, thinness, defined muscle tone, and
athletic ability are valued. In the United States, over 70% of young adults are
overweight or obese. Life events like college, marriage, and the start of a family can
increase weight gain. A contributing factor is stress. In response to stress, young
adults consume more high-calorie snacks and alcohol.
c. Elimination Pattern: The assessment of young adults focuses on teaching about
common digestive complaints and recognizing worrisome symptoms. Colorectal
cancer rates have been declining overall but are increasing in young adults aged 20 to
39. Risk factors for colorectal cancer in this age group include excess body weight,
high consumption of processed meats and alcohol, and low levels of physical activity
and fiber consumption. Rising rates of obesity and poor diets contribute to the
increased risk among young adults.
d. Activity-Exercise Pattern: The current guidelines for physical activity in adults
suggest engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic activity for a weekly duration of 150
to 300 minutes, with additional benefits observed for longer durations. It is also
recommended to incorporate muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice a week.
e.
e. Sleep-Rest Pattern: Young adults are subject to poor sleep by work, stress, or
inactivity leading to fatigue. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends
eight or more hours of daily sleep for young adults ages 18 to 21 and seven or more hours
for those 22 and over.
f. Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern: As we age, our visual and auditory acuity declines.
While visual and auditory acuity is at its peak at age 20, it begins to deteriorate at around
age 40. Our sense of taste, smell, touch, and awareness of temperature and pain remain
, stable until age 45-50. Learning priorities of young adults vary depending on their
specific goals, values, attitudes, and practices.
g. Self-Perception-Self-Concept Pattern: Young adulthood is marked by transitional
events that shape identity. Obtaining residential independence and full-time employment
are key milestones. Many young adults are living longer in parental homes, and some
return due to college debt. Women with young children often work and face stress
balancing work and life.
h. Roles-Relationships Pattern: Developing romantic relationships is a key developmental
milestone in young adults. In addition to achieving intimacy, the young adult must
accomplish other developmental tasks to achieve true psychosocial maturation. Young
adults are relying on their parents longer for guidance and material assistance, including
living at home longer than previous generations. Young adults frequently remain in their
parent's homes for economic reasons. particularly when life choices involve continued
schooling, unemployment, or remaining unmarried.
i. Sexuality-Reproductive Pattern: By young adulthood the menstrual cycle is generally
well established in women, and it is an important consideration in evaluating
reproductive health. The normal duration of the menses is 4 to 5 days. Approximately
half of all pregnancies are unintended, which may be either unwanted or mistimed. Those
with the highest rates of unintended pregnancies include women ages 18 to 24, those with
incomes below the poverty level, and black and Hispanic women. All young adults need
information about contraceptives to decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies and
the need for abortions.
j. Coping-Stress Tolerance Pattern: Nearly 40% of workers report their job is very or
extremely stressful. Stress can impact work engagement, physical functioning, and job
performance. Young adults frequently require assistance in developing coping
mechanisms to manage stress. Higher education is also an additional stressor for young
adults. Suicide is the leading cause of death in the young adult age group. Young adults
may be thought of as invincible, however, they are in an age group exposed to multiple
stressors, including the considerable stress caused by the transition to adulthood. Young
adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest prevalence of suicidal thoughts. Depression and
anxiety are a continuous problem with young adults, especially in today’s fast-paced
world.
k. Values-Beliefs Pattern: Young adults enter their 20s with habits, values, and beliefs
acquired during childhood and adolescence. Many acquired habits foster the continuance
of practices that are hazardous to health and well-being in later life. Most young adults
envision parenthood as an important developmental stage; therefore, health promotion
and health protection activities to ensure healthy offspring are crucial. American young
adults are now waiting longer to have children.
Chapter 23