Proper preparation for a test or procedure reduces your child's anxiety about the situation, encourages cooperation, and helps the child develop coping skills.

Information

Preparation can effectively in reduce distress in children undergoing medical tests, and can minimize crying and resistance to the procedure. Research finds that lowering anxiety can actually decrease the sensation of pain felt by people during uncomfortable procedures.

Before the test, understand that your child probably will cry, and that preparation may not change the fact that your child will feel some discomfort or pain. You can try demonstrating what will happen during the test in advance to learn about your child's particular fears and concerns. Using a doll or other object to act out the test may help reveal worries that the child may not be willing to discuss directly.

This may help reduce your child's anxiety -- most people are more frightened of the unknown than they are when they know what to expect. If a child's fears are unrealistic, you may want to explain what will actually happen. If the child is worried about an unavoidable part of the test, do not minimize this concern, but reassure the 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.

The most important way you can help your child is with proper preparation, and with your support around the time of the procedure.

PRE-PROCEDURE PREPARATION:

Limit your explanations about the procedure to 10 or 15 minutes, because preschoolers have a limited attention span. Preparation should take place directly before the test or procedure so that the 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 terminology.
* Make sure your child understands the body part involved, and that the procedure will be limited to that area.
* To the best of your ability, describe how the test will feel.
* Be honest with your child about discomfort that may be felt.
* Ask if your child has not understood something you have explained.
* Stress the benefits of the procedure and talk about things that the child may find pleasurable 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 this conditional on "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.

DURING THE PROCEDURE:

Your presence helps your infant during the procedure, especially if the procedure allows you to maintain physical contact. You will be able to hold your child during the study. The chair does rock and this might calm the child. We ask that the number of people present to be limited to the parents only. Too many people in the testing room can be a distraction to the patient and the test will not be as accurate.