Explaining Common Tests & Procedures

How to Explain Tests & Procedures to Children

MRI

An MRI is a way of taking pictures of the inside of your body. The camera is in the middle of a circle. The pictures do not hurt and the camera does not touch you. Your job will be to lie down on a special bed that moves very slowly up and down, and side to side until you are in the circle. This is where the camera will take your pictures. Your job is to lie still while you are on the bed. There is a special speaker in the room that the technician (the person doing the test) can talk to you, and they can even hear what you are saying to them. Some kids say the camera makes knocking noises, and some say it sounds like an airplane or a dryer when your pictures are being taken. When you come to have your pictures taken, you can bring a CD to listen to during your pictures if you want. You can ask the technician if one family member can come in with you. This test takes 30 to 60 minutes.

CT

A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of your body. The camera is in the middle of a circle. The pictures do not hurt and the camera does not touch you. It makes a buzzing sound during your pictures. Your job is to lie on the special bed that moves very slowly up and down until you are in the circle. This is where the camera will take your picture. During the pictures, your job is to lie very still. There is a speaker where the technician (the person doing the test) can talk to you and can also hear you, if you need to tell them something. You can ask the technician if one family member can come in with you. This test takes 15 minutes or less.

X-ray

An X-ray is a way to take pictures of the inside of your body. During the pictures, your job is to stay very still. The pictures do not hurt and the camera does not touch you. The technician (the person doing the test) will move the camera to the part of your body that we need pictures of (such as arm, leg, stomach, chest, etc.). When we are taking your pictures, the camera makes some beeping noises.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound is a test to look at the inside of your body. The technician (the person doing the test) first puts clear lotion on your skin, which may feel a little cool. Next the technician rubs a wand over the gel, which takes the pictures of the inside of your body (ex: liver, kidney, knee or stomach) You will lie on a bed, and the lights may be turned down low so the technician can see the picture on the computer screen. Your job is to lie still on the bed.

EKG

An EKG is a test to check your heart and see how it works. Small stickers are placed on your body, which are connected by a string to the computers. Your job is to lie still while the technician (the person doing the test) finishes the test. This test does not hurt. Some kids say when you take the stickers off it feels like taking a band-aid off.

ECHO

An ECHO is a test to check your heart to see what it looks like and how it is working. The technician (the person doing the test) will put three stickers on your chest. Babies and toddlers get the stickers on their back. The technician will put gel on your chest and rub the gel with a wand. This will then show a picture on the computer screen. The gel may be a little cool, but it does not hurt. Your job is to lie still on a bed while the technician is rubbing the wand on your chest.

Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a test to look at the inside of your esophagus and stomach. This test is usually done in the procedure room. The nurses will put a little light on your finger, called a pulse oximeter, and a blood pressure cuff on your arm before the test begins. You may also get some extra air in your nose. This is called oxygen. Some kids say the oxygen tickles their nose. You will get medicine through your IV to make you sleepy during the test. Your job in the procedure room is to think about a favorite person, place or thing.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a test to look at your intestines. This test is usually done in the procedure room. The nurses will put a little light on your finger, called a pulse oximeter, and a blood pressure cuff on your arm before the test begins. You may get some extra air in your nose called oxygen. Some kids say the oxygen tickles their nose. You will get medicine through your IV to make you sleepy during this test. You will have to drink liquid before having this test to make sure your colon is clean. The liquid you drink will make you poop a lot, which will help clean your colon. Your job in the procedure room is to think about a favorite person, place or thing.

Upper GI

An Upper GI is a test to see how your stomach and intestines look and how they are working. You have to drink a liquid called barium for this test. This is a special fruit flavored drink that helps the doctor see how your stomach and intestines are working. While you drink the barium, X-rays are taken. During the X-rays you will need to stand or lay still while the pictures are being taken.