Columbus Technical College

Health Care Division

Associate Degree in Nursing Program
Interpersonal Process Recording

Student Name: ___Student Nurse______________________________ Date: 03-04-04

Client Initials: JB Client Information: Age: 80 Gender: M Race: W Diagnosis: Right total knee arthroplasty
Setting Description: Client is in his recliner and the student nurse is sitting with an open posture about two feet in front of him in a chair.
Goal of Interview Session: To allow the client to discuss any concerns and clear up any misunderstandings he may have about his recovery and
to identify that a good support system will be in place after his discharge.

Clients Message Nurses Response Analysis of Nurse Response Alternate Technique

Record verbatim & nonverbal
communication of the client. Use
quotation marks around verbal.
Identify defense mechanism if one
is used by client
“Sure Scott, I have a few minutes
on my hands. “ (Looking at the
student nurse with a disheveled
look on his face)
Record verbatim & nonverbal
communication of the nurse. Use
quotation marks around verbal.
Identify defense mechanism if one
is used by the nurse
“Mr. JB I would like to talk to you
a few minutes about how you are
doing today.” (Establishing eye
contact while pulling the chain up
a couple of inches)
“What concerns or questions do
you have about your
hospitalization?” (Looking into
the clients eyes to show that he
has the student nurses undivided
attention
Identify: (1) If therapeutic or
non-therapeutic (2) Which
technique used (3) Rationale why
effective or not effective
Therapeutic
(T) Acknowledging
(R) Acknowledging the client by
name shows him that I recognize
him as an individual person
Therapeutic
(T) Broad Opening
(R) Offers the client a general lead
that will allow him to specify on a
particular concern
Rewrite to use an alternate
technique whether technique was
therapeutic or non-therapeutic.
Identify technique and rationale
(T) Making Observations
“You look like you could use
some company. Do you mind if I
ask you a few questions.”
(R) Verbalizing the student nurses
perception of nonverbal
communication expressed by the
client
(T) Offering self
“I am just going to sit down with
you for a while. If I can get you
anything or if you want to talk
about anything, I am here to help
you”
(R) Shows the client that the nurse
has the desire to understand the
client
“I just over heard the lady that
drew my blood saying that I might
be anemic. What is that? Am I in
real bad shape?” (Looking very
worried and scared)
“First let’s address the word
anemic. It is a fancy term used to
describe a person who needs to
build up their blood count. It is
very common for someone who
goes through a total knee
replacement to lose a lot of blood.
Secondly, you are not in real bad
shape. The doctor has ordered
treatments that should get your
blood count back to normal.”
“I was really concerned when I
heard that word. I always
associated that word with
someone that was about to die.
What kind of treatments has the
doctor prescribed?”
“The doctor has you on an iron
pill (ferrous sulfate) that will help
your body build up your blood.
(Using an explanation the client
will understand). Eating a good
diet and taking the vitamins you
are prescribed also speeds healing
and helps to speed the process of
getting your blood level back to
normal. He may decide to give
you some blood in your IV to
build your blood fast.” (Making
eye contact with the patient)
Therapeutic
(T) Giving Information
(R) Builds trust and provides the
client with a broader knowledge to
understand his concerns
Therapeutic
(T) Presenting Reality
(R) Indicating that which is real
and potential helps the client
understand the treatment options
(T) Encouraging Description of
Perception
“Please elaborate on what you
think of when you hear the word
anemic and I will try to clear up
any misperceptions or concern
you might have.”
(R) Allows the nurse to
understand things as they are seen
by the client
(T) Placing the Event in Sequence
“The first priority is to get your
body to build your blood count up
with proper nutrition and an iron
supplement. The iron will also
help to oxygenate your blood. If
this does not correct the problem,
doctor can ask us to give you
blood in your IV to get your blood
count up.”
(R) Placing the events in sequence
can help the nurse and the client
see them in the proper perspective
“I feel a lot better now that I
understand what anemic means. I
know Dr. Waldrop will do the best
thing.” (Giving a sigh of relief)

“When you get back home will
you have anyone to look after
you?” (Raising the eyebrows with
an inquisitive look on the nursing
student’s face)
Therapeutic (T) Seeking Validation
(T) Exploring “You do realize that you will need
(R) Allows the student nurse to someone to care for you when you
gather important information on a get back home.”
specific topic (R) Enables the nurse to evaluate
client understanding

“Oh yes, my wonderful wife will

be there for me. Our two
daughters and their families also
live close and they will help also.”
(Smiling slightly from the thought
of being home)

“Physical therapy is scheduled to Therapeutic (T) Seeking Clarification

come and get you this morning. I
bet that is them at the door now. I
am glad we cleared up some
misconceptions you had about
your condition. I am also happy
that you have such a great support
group at home. I will clean your
room while you are gone and
remember the more you comply
with the treatment the faster you
will heal.”
(T) Summarizing and planning
(R) Summarizing what the client
and the nurse discussed and to
identify that a caregiver will be at
the home during the recovery
period
“Do you understand everything
we have discussed? If not please
feel free to ask me anything that
you need clarification on
concerning your recovery.”
(R) To clarify that JB understands
what has been discussed

“Okay Scott, I will see you when I

get back”
Sources to look at: Put your APA formatted resources here