So I work in the ER, not a pediatric ER...but we do get pediatric patients. Most of the time they come in with a fever with asthma exacerbation, but sometimes we get kiddos that come in for BH evaluations or dehydration. Sometimes the providers order an IV and routine labs. I try to avoid sticking kiddos if I have to because honestly, I dread it. I think part of it is because I don't really know how to approach them when I have to draw some blood or start an IV. The other part is I don't want to them cry or scream at the top of their lungs.
The youngest patient I stuck so far was a 10 year old. Routine labs for a BH workup. I brought another nurse in to help hold her down. I told her we have to get some blood and she freaked out a little but after some coaxing from mom (and having her arm held in place by the other nurse) I was able to draw all my tubes with no problem. The child did a great job and I told her she was being so brave. That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm more so worried about the younger ones.
So, how do you approach kiddos when it comes to this?