Preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

- Preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
  - Psychologic preparation
    - Selecting nonthreatening words or phrases

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

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