Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Preparing Your Child for Procedures or Tests

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: April 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

• Why is it important to prepare my child for the procedure?
• How should I prepare her?
• What is this procedure?
• Why do I need it?
• Are there risks?
• Is it painful?
• What do I have to do?
• How is it done?
• What should I do during the procedure?

Why is it important to prepare my child for the procedure?

• Preparing your child for a test can help reduce her anxiety if she is afraid.
• Children may want to talk about their fears and ask you questions.
• Telling your child what to expect can encourage cooperation.
• Children often imagine worse things than what actually happens.
• Your child is less likely to resist the test if she is prepared.
• She is less likely to cry or worry about pain.
• Children undergoing tests are often scared of the strange environment, new people, and separation from you. Preparing her can help make her more comfortable.

How should I prepare her?
Children of different ages should be prepared in different ways. Teach your child using the method that best meets your child's age, attention span, and thinking level. Children will probably have some of the following questions. Talk last about topics that may cause your child the most stress.

What is this procedure?

• Explain the procedure in simple language.
• Consider your child's attention span. Don't talk too long.
• Define new terms if needed, such as "spine-- the bone in your back."
• Talk to younger children close to the appointment. They may not remember if you talk days before.
• Be clear. Explain that "taking blood" does not mean taking all of the blood, but only a little.
• Older children can often understand simple medical terminology, such as "draw blood" or even, "lumbar puncture."
• Children can write down questions they have and ask the doctor at the appointment. Parents can do the same.

Why do I need it?

• Stress the benefits of the procedure.
• Stress the good things that will happen after the test, such as going home, feeling better, getting a special treat, or learning important information.
• Children often like seeing videos where a child their own age talks about the test.

Are there risks?

• Reassure children that it's okay to be afraid.
• Tell your child that the test won't change how her body works.
• Your child may be unwilling to discuss her own fears, but may talk about her fears through a favorite doll or stuffed animal. You could ask your young child, "Is your friend Fluffy afraid of the test?"
• Children may feel guilty before a test. Make sure your child understands that the test is not a punishment.
• Discuss risks with older children if they show concern.
• Your child may be concerned that the test will change how she looks.
• An adolescent will often have extreme worries about the risks. Help her keep them in perspective. "It is very unlikely that..."
• Children, especially adolescents, may be worried that they will say or do something embarrassing under anesthesia.

Is it painful?

• Try to describe how the test will feel.
• Be honest.
• Give your child permission to cry or yell if she feels pain.
• Give your child suggestions for how to maintain control, such as counting, deep breathing, or thinking about a relaxing place.
• Talk about pain, but don't dwell on this subject.

What do I have to do?

• Show your child what she needs to do for the procedure, such as opening your mouth wide. Have your child imitate you.
• Children learn through play. Take turns being the doctor and patient and practice the procedure.
• Explain to your child that she may need to be held down to keep her safe. Show her what this might feel like.
• Let your child help you make as many decisions as possible, such as the time of the appointment, or who will take her.

How is it done?

• Use a stuffed animal or doll to show your child what will be done.
• Explain how it is done in simple language your child understands.
• Tell her exactly what body part will be used.
• If safe, let her touch tools that will be used, such as Band-Aids or a stethoscope.
• Children can learn from drawings and diagrams.
• Avoid using words that might scare your child, such as "cut" or "put to sleep." Instead, use "opening" or "help you take a nap."

What should I do during the procedure?

• Showing that you care is most important.
• If possible, stay in the room with your child and touch her if the procedure allows.
• Your child may not want you in the room during the procedure. Ask her what she prefers and do as she wishes. Privacy and independence are especially important to adolescents.
• If your child wants you to stay, but you do not want to watch the procedure, step back, but stay within your child's sight.
• If you can't or prefer not to be in the room during the procedure, leaving a comforting object (such as a favorite blanket) with your child might help.
• Your child might request that someone else stay in the room if you prefer not to, such as a babysitter or a friend.
• Give one direction at a time during the procedure to help your child if needed. Use one or two words to tell her what she should do. "Look up."
• Ask your health care provider to limit the number of strangers in the room to help your child feel more at ease.

Quick Answers

• Preparing your child for a test can encourage cooperation.
• Children of different ages should be prepared in different ways. Teach your child using the method that best meets your child's age, attention span, and thinking level.
• Explain the procedure to your child in simple language.
• Stress the benefits of the procedure.
• Reassure children that it's okay to be afraid. Discuss their concerns.
• When your child asks about pain, be honest. Try to describe how the test will feel.
• Show your child what she needs to do for the procedure. Help her practice.
• Tell her what the doctor will do.
• To comfort your child, show her that you care. Stay with her during the test if possible.

References

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Preparing for Hospitalization. (cited 2002 March 8). URL: http://www.chop.edu/pat_care_fam_serv/prep_for_hosp.shtml
• MEDLINEplus: Medical Encyclopedia. Adolescent test or procedure preparation. 2002 January 2 (cited 2002 March 7). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002054.htm
• MEDLINEplus: Medical Encyclopedia. Infant test/procedure preparation. 2002 January 2 (cited 2002 March 7). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002055.htm
• MEDLINEplus: Medical Encyclopedia. Preschooler test/procedure preparation. 2000 February 9 (cited 2002 March 7). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002057.htm
• MEDLINEplus: Medical Encyclopedia. School age test/procedure preparation. 1999 October 1 (cited 2002 March 7). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002058.htm
• MEDLINEplus: Medical Encyclopedia. Toddler test/procedure preparation. 2000 February 9 (cited 2002 March 7). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002056.htm
• Rutherford, K. Preparing Your Child for Visits to the Doctor. KidsHealth. 2001 May (cited 2002 March 8). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/system/doctor/dr_visits.html

See related Patient Topics Child and Teen Health, Children's Health, Diagnostic Imaging, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Laboratory Tests, Physical Examinations or Procedures and Therapies.

See related Provider Topics Child and Teen Health, Children's Health, Diagnostic Imaging, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Laboratory Tests, Physical Examinations or Procedures and Therapies.

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