Management of preoperative anxiety in children

ABSTRACT
• ALTHOUGH ANESTHESIAduring surgery prevents children from recalling actual surgical events, they are subjected to stressful events while preparing for surgery.
• ONE ESTIMATE SUGGESTS that 60% of chil dren experience significant anxiety before anesthesia induction and surgery, and literature from around the world indicates that preoperative anx iety is a global concern for health care providers
• THE CHALLENGE THAT NURSES FACE is better manage children's anxiety in today's fast-paced ORs. This article uses case studies to show nursing strategies that can be used to help allay the fears of children at different psychosocial stages of development. AORN J 84 (November 2006) 778-804. © AORN, Inc, 2006.