Frequently Asked Questions: Preparing Your Child
How do I prepare my child for hospitalization?
How you prepare your child for a cardiac catheterization or cardiac
surgery will depend on the age of the child. 
- For Infants and Toddlers, less than 2 years of age
- they have not developed words and concepts about procedures
or when they will occur. Children at this age need a familiar
caregiver and their favorite toys for comfort and security. Prepare
yourself for vocal expressions of their feelings and remember
this is normal. Plan ahead for times when waiting or quiet activities
must occur with toys, coloring books, and videos.
- For Preschoolers, aged 3 to 5 years - they are curious and want to know what will happen. They do not have well-developed time concepts, so provide explanations shortly before the events occur, 1-3 days before. Make explanations simple and short. Too many details may be confusing. Select words carefully as many medical words may have a double meaning. For example, "dye" used in cardiac catheterization may be interpreted as die. Some words are scary and can increase fears such as "cut" so phrases like "make an opening" are useful to describe events in a neutral fashion.
Use play and common activities to prepare such as books, medical kit toys and videos about doctor visits and hospital stays. We recommend:
- Big Bird Goes to Hospital (video and book)
- Fisher Price Medical Play Kit
- Going to the Hospital: First Experiences (Mr. Rogers)
- Curious George Goes to the Hospital
- Franklin Goes to the Hospital
- Clifford Visits the Hospital
You can help your child pack a bag with familiar objects and favorite toys to help normalize the hopsital environment and provide security.
Be sure to ask what your child thinks. Many preschoolers fantasize and use their imagination about things they do not understand. Their imaginings may be much worse than talking about scary or painful things.
This age group is excellent for the Children's Surgery Tour, as it lets them practice the preparation for surgery (try on surgical masks, anesthesia, etc.)
Preschoolers really want to know you will be there for support and comfort. Plan ahead on how to care for yourself while your child is in the hospital. For the two parent family taking turns either every other night or day shift/night shift allows you to maintain your own health and level of sleep in order to care for a sick child's emotional needs. For the single parent family, use of alternative family members or family friends your child knows and trusts is a good way to take a break.
For school age child child, aged 6 to 12 years
- they enjoy learning and using their minds to understand more
detailed explanations or events, procedures and their own bodies.
They can understand the ideas of before, during and after procedures.
They can follow more complex instructions that include steps.
Although high language skills are available to them, medical lingo
needs to be "translated" into real words. Advancing
age does not elimiate "irrational fears" such as IV's
are worse than surgery. Techniques to help the child gain control
over themselves are particularly useful to learn in advance. Relaxation
techniques, deep breathing and guided imagery are useful. We recommend
Guided Imagery for Stressful Times by Diane L. Tusek, RN that
can be obtained through the cardiovascular surgery office.
This age group can benefit from the Children's Surgery Tour to learn more about the surgical process and what will happen in advance of the events.
- Teenagers, aged 13-18 years - need clear answers about what and why things are happening to them. They need to be included in the discussions with doctors and nurses about their care. Teens are usually most concerned about how procedures, hospital stays, surgery will affect their appearance, their daily activities and their relationship with friends. Plan to include visits and calls from friends. Be sure to think of clothes to help maintain privacy. Think about bringing items for entertainment (to prevent boredom). Arrange schoolwork so they do not fall behind their peers. Even though teens act very grown up, they still want to know you will be there through any difficult times. We recommend Guided Imagery for Stressful Times by Diane L. Tusek, RN.
