title: Preparing children for a surgical experience.
abstract: 1. Little research has been conducted on the specific fears of children undergoing surgery. One study reported that the events most remembered about the surgical experience were riding to the operating room, receiving injections, waking up in pain, and not being allowed to eat or drink. The most feared events were injections and the anesthesia mask. 2. Many hospitals have developed formal and informal orientation programs for preparing children for surgery. Special orientation days with themes may be offered. Films/videos, slide presentations, coloring books, photograph albums, puppet shows, and tours often are used to introduce the child to the surgical environment. A visit to the operating room may be a part of the program. In some cases, play therapy in a mock operating room is used. 3. A warm, open, honest environment is crucially important. There should be a willingness to discuss the child's ideas, fears, and misconceptions concerning their perioperative experience. In addition, children should be given the opportunity to learn about their body, the health care profession, and the surgical setting.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Algren
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arnold
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009871:Operating Room Nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D002666:Psychology, Child