Ways to make testing easier

From Pahwiki

Emla for injection sites

For blood tests: - the hospitals sometimes have a warm small pouch that the child can hold. It is stored room temperature but then they crinkle it to activate the heat and the pouch warms up. Holding something and having it be a warm item can be soothing for the child. - before the testing, think if topics you can discuss during the blood draws: colors, names of people, if you are getting an animal then names for the animal, places the child would like to visit, things the child would like to do. This helps keep the child distracted during the blood draw. - have the child close his/her eyes during the blood draw. (Our daughter likes to close her eyes and have us put our hand next to her face so even if she is tempted to peak she only sees our hand and not the blood draw. - pick up a treat afterward (e.g., lifesavers at the hospital gift shop, ice cream cone)

- always try to have the nurse us the "butterfly" needle.