Pokes, Needles, and Blood Tests

Nobody loves pokes. Not kids, not grown-ups, not even nurses. But blood tests are one of the most important helpers in the whole hospital. Here's why — and how to make them easier.

Why doctors need your blood

Your blood carries news about your whole body. A tiny bit of it can tell doctors a lot:

• how strong your body's germ fighters are
• how the medicine is working
• whether you need extra rest or extra help

The nurse only takes a little — about a spoonful. Your body is a blood factory, and it makes more all the time.

The truth about pokes

Here's the honest truth: a poke feels like a quick pinch. It lasts a second or two. It's okay to not like it. It's even okay to cry. That doesn't mean you're not brave. Brave means doing the thing even when it's hard.

If you have a port, lots of your blood tests can happen through it. That means fewer arm pokes. One more reason kids like their ports.

Tricks that really help

Kids and nurses have figured out lots of tricks:

• Ask for numbing cream. It makes your skin fall asleep first. It needs time to work, so ask early.
• Look away and breathe out slowly. Pretend you're blowing out birthday candles.
• Squeeze something. A grown-up's hand, a squishy toy, your stuffed animal.
• Get distracted. Watch a video, count the ceiling tiles, or have someone tell you a joke at just the right moment.
• Sit how you like. Lots of kids feel better sitting on a grown-up's lap instead of lying down.

You get a job too

You can be part of the team. Tell the nurse what works for you: "I want to count to three," or "I like to watch," or "Please don't tell me when — just do it fast." Nurses love it when kids have a plan. It's your body, and your voice counts.