A 4-year-old is about to undergo IV therapy preoperatively. Which technique best helps the child cope with the procedure?

A 4-year-old is about to undergo IV therapy preoperatively. Which technique best helps the child cope with the procedure?

• A. Discussing the benefits of the procedure
• B. Giving the child needless IV supplements to play with
• C. Allowing the child to perform the procedure with a doll
• D. Restraint of the child during the procedure

Answer: (B)

Helping a preschooler cope with IV therapy is about giving them a sense of control and making the experience feel predictable through play. Allowing the child to perform the procedure with a doll provides a concrete, nonthreatening way to understand what will happen and lets the child imitate the steps, which reduces fear and promotes cooperation. This type of play gives the child mastery over the situation, helps verbalize worries, and builds trust with caregivers and the nurse. Other approaches don’t address fear directly or can be unsafe or distressing—talking about benefits can be abstract for a young child, giving unsafe or unnecessary items to play with isn’t appropriate, and restraining the child increases anxiety and resistance. So, letting the child role-play the IV procedure with a doll best supports coping in this preoperative moment.

Helping a preschooler cope with IV therapy is about giving them a sense of control and making the experience feel predictable through play. Allowing the child to perform the procedure with a doll provides a concrete, nonthreatening way to understand what will happen and lets the child imitate the steps, which reduces fear and promotes cooperation. This type of play gives the child mastery over the situation, helps verbalize worries, and builds trust with caregivers and the nurse. Other approaches don’t address fear directly or can be unsafe or distressing—talking about benefits can be abstract for a young child, giving unsafe or unnecessary items to play with isn’t appropriate, and restraining the child increases anxiety and resistance. So, letting the child role-play the IV procedure with a doll best supports coping in this preoperative moment.