When children need blood tests or other lab work, our 6 simple tips can help make a pediatric visit to Quest go more smoothly—for kids and parents.

Children can become anxious during any stage of a blood draw — from tourniquet placement to cleaning with an alcohol pad. “Try to help your child know what to expect by describing sensations,” suggests Prendergast.

You need to have your blood checked today. This is called a “blood draw” or “lab draw”. Checking your blood gives the doctors and nurses important information about how your body is doing. At Children’s Mercy, we often use numbing cream or medicine to numb your skin before you have your blood draw.

Bring comfort items, toys, or activities from home to use during the blood draw - For younger children: blanket, stuffed animal, book, toys. - For older children and teens: toys, fidget item, stress ball or squish, tablet or phone.

Apr 25, 2017 · Whether it’s for a vaccine, an IV, or a blood draw, apprehension looms large when a child spots a needle in the room. With pediatricians increasingly ordering blood tests as a way to manage their patients’ care, most children will need a blood draw at some point during childhood.

Some children become very stressed by their blood draw and their anxiety can lead to physically challenging behaviors, resulting in harm to themselves or others. To help with this, Nationwide Children's Hospital Laboratory Services created the S.A.F.E. (Safe Area for Everyone) Program.

Here are some tips for helping your child or adolescent cope with bloodwork: Develop a coping plan. Coming up with a plan prior to blood draw can set your child up for success. Some helpful strategies include deep breathing, distraction with child’s favorite toy or stuffed animal, counting in a calm tone, comfort positioning, and use of Buzzy®.

Fast Facts About Blood Draws. A blood draw (sometimes called a blood test) is a way to collect blood so that lab testing can be done to check your child’s health. Each blood draw takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

blood draw. Families should have their child pick a comfort item, distraction technique, or play item to practice with the doll or animal. •Once the family is done pretending to give a blood draw, the child should choose a reward such as a sticker or …

Blood draws in a clinical study are usually no different from those your child might have during a routine medical visit. Make sure your child has eaten recently (unless he needs to be fasting) and is well-hydrated to prevent light-headedness.