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Definition

Preparing properly for a test or procedure reduces your child's anxiety, encourages cooperation, and helps your child develop coping skills.

Information

Preparing children for medical tests can reduce their anxiety. It can also make them less likely to cry and resist the procedure. Research shows that lowering anxiety can decrease the sensation of pain people feel during uncomfortable procedures. Even so, being prepared may not change the fact that your child will feel some discomfort or pain.

Before the test, understand that your child will probably cry. Demonstrate in advance what will happen during the test to learn about your child's fears and concerns. Using a doll or other object to act out the test may reveal worries your child may not be able to talk about, and may reduce your child's anxiety.

Most people are frightened of the unknown. It helps if your child knows what to expect. If your child's fears are not realistic, explaining what will actually happen can help. If your child is worried about a part of the test, do not downplay this concern. Reassure your child that you will be there to help as much as you can.

Make sure your child understands that the procedure is not a punishment. Preschool-age children may believe that the pain they feel is a punishment for something they did.

The most important way you can help your child is to prepare properly, and provide support and comfort around the time of the procedure. Ask if the hospital has a child life specialist who can help you before and after the procedure.

PREPARING BEFORE THE PROCEDURE:

Keep your explanations about the procedure to 10 or 15 minutes. Preschoolers are able to listen and comprehend for only a short time. Explain the test or procedure right before it takes place so that your child doesn't worry about it for days or weeks in advance.

Here are some general guidelines for preparing your child for a test or procedure:

• Explain the procedure in language your child understands, using plain words and avoiding abstract terms.
• Use play preparation to demonstrate the procedure to your child and identify concerns (see the next section).
• Make sure your child understands the body part involved in the test, and that the procedure will be limited to that area.
• Describe as best as you can how the test will feel.
• Be honest with your child about any discomfort or pain the test may cause.
• If the procedure affects a part of the body that your child needs for a certain function (such as speaking, hearing, or urinating), explain what changes will occur afterwards.
• Let your child know it's OK to yell, cry, or express pain in another way using sounds or words.
• Ask if your child has questions about something you have explained.
• Allow your child to practice the positions or movements that will be required for the procedure, such as the fetal position for a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
• Stress the benefits of the procedure and talk about things the child may enjoy after the test, such as feeling better or going home. You may want to take your child for ice cream or some other treat afterwards, but do not make the treat a condition of being good for the test.
• Practice deep breathing and other comforting activities with your child. If possible, have your child hold your hand and squeeze it when feeling pain.
• Ask your child's health care provider if your child can make some decisions, when appropriate, such as which arm should have the intravenous (IV) line or what color bandage to use.
• Distract your child during and after the procedure with books, songs, counting, deep breathing, or blowing bubbles.

PLAY PREPARATION

Play can be a good way to demonstrate the procedure for your child and identify any anxiety your child may have. Tailor this technique to your child. Most health care facilities for children use play to prepare children for procedures.

Many young children have a favorite toy or other important object that can be a tool for this process. It may be less threatening for your child to express concerns through the toy or object instead of directly. For example, a child who is about to have blood drawn may be better able to understand if you discuss how the doll might feel during the test.

Toys or dolls can help you explain the procedure to your preschooler. Once you are familiar with the procedure, briefly demonstrate on the toy what your child will experience. Using the toy, show your child:

• Bandages
• How injections are given
• How IVs are inserted
• How surgical cuts are made
• Stethoscopes
• What positions your child will be in

Afterward, allow your child to play with some of the items (except for needles and other sharp items). Watch your child for clues about concerns or fears.

No matter what test is performed, your child will probably cry. This is a normal response to a strange place, new people, and being separated from you. Knowing this from the beginning may help relieve some of your anxiety about what to expect.

WHY RESTRAINTS?

Your child may be restrained by hand or with physical devices. Young children lack the physical control and ability to follow commands that older children and adults usually have. Most tests and procedures require limited or no movement to ensure their accuracy. For example, to get clear results with x-rays, there must not be any movement.

Restraints may also be used during a procedure or other situation to ensure your child's safety. Restraints may be used to keep your child safe when staff have to leave the room for a short time during x-ray and nuclear studies. They may also be used when a puncture is done to get a blood sample or start an IV. If your child moves, the needle could cause an injury.

Your child's provider will use every method to make sure your child is safe and comfortable. Depending on the procedure, medicines may be used to sedate your child.

Your job as a parent is to comfort your child.

DURING THE PROCEDURE:

Your presence may help your child during the procedure, especially if the procedure allows you to maintain physical contact. If the procedure is performed at the hospital or at your provider's office, you may be able to be there. If you are not sure, ask if you can be there.

If you think you may become ill or anxious, consider keeping your distance, but stay where your child can see you. If you cannot be present, leave a familiar object with your child for comfort.

Avoid showing your anxiety. This will only make your child feel more upset. Research suggests that children are more cooperative if their parents take measures (such as acupuncture) to reduce their own anxiety.

If you're feeling stressed and anxious, consider asking friends and family members for help. They can provide child care for other siblings or meals for the family so you can focus on supporting your child.

Other considerations:

• Ask your child's provider to limit the number of strangers entering and leaving the room during the procedure, because this can raise anxiety.
• Ask if the provider who has spent the most time with your child can be present during the procedure.
• Ask if anesthesia can be used to reduce your child's discomfort.
• Ask that painful procedures not be performed in the hospital bed, so that the child does not link pain with the hospital room.
• If your child can see you during the procedure, do what your child is told to do, such as opening your mouth.
• Ask if extra sounds, lights, and people can be limited.

References

American Cancer Society website. When your child has cancer. www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/children-with-cancer.html. Accessed June 13, 2024.

Chow CH, Van Lieshout RJ, Schmidt LA, Dobson KG, Buckley N. Systematic review: audiovisual interventions for reducing preoperative anxiety in children undergoing elective surgery. J Pediatr Psychol. 2016;41(2):182-203. PMID: 26476281 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26476281/.

Kain ZN, Fortier MA, Chorney JM, Mayes L. Web-based tailored intervention for preparation of parents and children for outpatient surgery (WebTIPS): development. Anesth Analg. 2015;120(4):905-914. PMID: 25790212 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25790212/.

Lerwick JL. Minimizing pediatric healthcare-induced anxiety and trauma. World J Clin Pediatr. 2016;5(2):143-150. PMID: 27170924 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27170924/.

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