Final answer:
The nurse's assessment covers the Health perception-health management pattern of Gordon's functional health patterns, as they inquire about the patient's adherence to the appointment schedule and exercise plan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse's assessment covers the fourth pattern of Gordon's functional health patterns, which is the Health perception-health management pattern. This pattern focuses on the individual's beliefs and actions related to their own health and healthcare. In the given scenario, the nurse is assessing the patient's adherence to the recommended appointment schedule and exercise plan, which directly relates to their health perception and management.
The nurse mentions that it has been over 6 months since the patient's last visit, but their appointment was supposed to be every 2 months. By asking about this, the nurse is assessing the patient's understanding and compliance with the recommended healthcare schedule. This reflects the health perception component of the pattern.
Additionally, when the nurse asks about the patient's success in following the doctor's recommended routine exercise, they are assessing the patient's health management behaviors. This component of the pattern focuses on the individual's actions and decisions regarding their own health, such as engaging in exercise for maintaining and improving their well-being.