Preschooler Test/Procedure Preparation

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During the procedure

Your presence, if possible, can 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 asked to be by your child's side and would like to be, ask your health care provider if this is possible. 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.

Other considerations:

• Ask your health care provider to limit the number of strangers entering and leaving the room during the procedure, since this can raise anxiety.
• Ask that the care provider who has spent the most time with your child be present during the procedure.
• Ask that anesthetics 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 the child needs to do, such as opening the mouth.