- 
- Preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
- Psychologic preparation
- Selecting nonthreatening words or phrases
 
 
 - Psychologic preparation
 
 - Preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
 
| Words and Phrases to Avoid | Suggested Substitutions | 
| Shot, bee sting, stick | Medicine under the skin | 
| Organ | Special place in body | 
| Test | To see how (specify body part) is working | 
| Incision, cut | Special opening | 
| Edema | Puffiness | 
| Stretcher, gurney | Rolling bed, bed on wheels | 
| Stool | Child’s usual term | 
| Dye | Special medicine | 
| Pain | Hurt, discomfort, “owie,” “boo-boo,” sore, achy, scratchy | 
| Deaden | Numb, make sleepy | 
| Fix | Make better | 
| Take (as in “take your temperature”) | See how warm you are | 
| Take (as in “take your blood pressure”) | Check your pressure; hug your arm | 
| Put to sleep, anesthesia | Special sleep so you won’t feel anything | 
| Catheter | Tube | 
| Monitor | Television screen | 
| Electrodes | Stickers, ticklers | 
| Specimen | Sample | 
								


