The nurse has identified a priority nursing diagnosis of Anxiety related to surgery for a 4-yearold preparing for a tonsillectomy. The nurse should tell the child:

When preparing a child for a procedure the nurse should use neutral words, focus on sensory experiences, and emphasize the positive aspects at the end. Being reunited with parents and having an ice pop would be considered pleasurable events. Children this age fear bodily harm. To reduce anxiety, avoid the word 'removed' to describe what is being done to the tonsils. Using the terms 'put to sleep' and 'I.V.' may be threatening. Additionally, directing a play experience to focus on I.V. insertion may be counterproductive as the child may have little recollection of this aspect of the procedure.