Abstract
During venipuncture for medical procedures such as IV and blood collection, preschool children often become upset. Their ability to self-regulate is influenced by support they receive from nursing staff. The types of support needed, however, have not been identified. This study aimed to clarify the types of support that nurses perceive they can offer preschool children to help them self-regulate whilst undergoing venipuncture. Data from semi-structured interviews with 13 nurses were obtained and analyzed, and the following five support categories were identified : (1) supporting children's understanding of upcoming treatment, (2) supporting children's voluntary actions towards medical treatment/medical procedures, and (3) empathizing with the trajectories of children's endurance, which all required (4) allowing children time before and during treatment and (5) providing a supportive scaffolding. This suggests that it is important for nurses to give children time to overcome their antipathy toward medical treatment and try to meet the expectations of their parents and nurses. It is also important that nurses empathize with and embody children's endurance, showing them the upcoming treatment and explaining the nurse's expectations about their effort. Intentionally providing these support structures is necessary to help preschool children self-regulate.
