A blood test is a good way to get detailed information about a person's health. However, if a child is to take blood from a vein, the parent should think about how he can be prepared for this.
Instructions
Step 1
Get a referral from your doctor for a test. It can be given by a pediatrician or a more narrow specialist who believes that such a study is necessary for your child.
Step 2
Make sure that the child's diet is consistent with the required analysis. With a general blood test, you should not feed the baby in the morning before the test. Sweet drinks are also contraindicated. But at the same time, you can give him mineral water to drink. When examining blood for various diseases, for example, infectious ones, you should not give the child fried and too salty, sweet or fatty foods during the day before the analysis.
Step 3
When possible, choose the right time for analysis. It is best to prescribe it in the morning so that the child does not remain hungry for a long time.
Step 4
With a child who has reached preschool or school age, discuss what will happen. You should not scare him, especially if he donates blood from a vein for the first time. Explain, however, that veins take longer than fingersticks. You can also warn that the child is more likely to experience discomfort.
Step 5
Make sure that the child does not get bored in the queue while he is waiting for the analysis. Take with you a book, his favorite toy, coloring book with felt-tip pens - depending on age. This will not only take his time, but also will not allow him to concentrate on the fear of the upcoming procedure.
Step 6
Decide if you need to be in the doctor's office during the test. Of course, it will be needed if the child is very small, but for some schoolchildren, even from elementary grades, the presence of parents can only interfere and provoke tears or protest. Focus on the psychological characteristics of the child.
Step 7
After the analysis, think about how you can please the child for good behavior. A small surprise gift can help smooth out the bad impressions of the hospital.
