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- 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 |
