In addition to taking a history, you must also listen to the patient, and perform an airway examination. You may be the first person to detect a wheeze or a murmur. Preoperative laboratory evaluations are NOT necessary in otherwise healthy infants. Formerly premature infants may require a hemoglobin to test for anemia. Preparation for surgery Young children are often quite anxious when confronted with a strange hospital environment and the necessity for a surgical procedure.
Separation anxiety starts at approximately nine monthe of age.
There are a number of interventions that can be used to decrease postoperative anxiety. Hospital tours and preparatory videotapes have been shown to help significantly. Parental presence during induction is a controversial topic. Parents who are not anxious may help some children. Another approach is sedative premedication.