Preschooler test or procedure preparation

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Preschooler test

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 your health care provider's office, you may be given the opportunity to be present. If you are not sure that you are allowed to be present, ask. If you think you may become ill or anxious, consider keeping your distance but remaining in your child's line of vision. If you are not able to be present, leaving a familiar object with your child may be comforting.

Avoid showing your anxiety. This will only make your child feel more upset.

Other considerations:

• Ask your provider to limit the number of strangers entering and leaving the room during the procedure, since this can raise anxiety.
• Ask that the provider who has spent the most time with your child be present during the procedure.
• Ask that anesthesia be used where appropriate to reduce the level of discomfort your child will feel.
• Ask that painful procedures not be performed in the hospital bed, so that the child does not associate pain with the hospital room.
• If you are in your child's line of sight, imitate the behavior the child needs to do, such as opening the mouth.

Review Date: 06/13/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.