Procedures

Understanding what will occur during a procedure and what other parents do to pre
pare their children will arm you with essential information. Knowing what to expec
will lower the anxiety level of both you and your child and lay the foundation fo
years of tolerable tests. The descriptions of procedures in the rest of the chapter ma
not exactly mirror your experience. Practices vary by hospital and practitioner, and
this variability should be expected. What should be the same, however, is your com
fort in asking questions and getting the support and help you need to prepare for and
cope with your child’s procedures.
Questions to ask before procedures
You need information prior to procedures in order to prepare yourself and you
child. Some suggested questions to ask the physician are:
• Why is this procedure necessary and how will it affect my child’s treatment?
• What information will it provide?
• Who will perform the procedure?
• Will it be an inpatient or outpatient procedure?
• Please explain the procedure in detail.
• Is there any literature available that describes it?
• Is there a child life specialist on staff who will help prepare my child for the
procedure?
• If not, are there nurses, social workers, or parents who can come talk to
me about how to prepare my child?
• Is the procedure painful?
• How long will the procedure take?
• What type of anesthetic or sedation is used?
• What are the risks, if any?
• What are the common and rare side effects?
• When will we get the results?