[The use of a therapeutic toy, as a tool for nursing intervention, in the preparation of children for blood sampling].

This study is almost an experiment with the objective to verify the effect of the Therapeutic Play on preschool children during blood collect for laboratory tests. The sample consisted of 42 children divided into control and experimental groups. All the children had their behavior observed and only the children of the experimental group were prepared for the Therapeutic Play. The results were analyzed comparing the children's behavior with the groups and showed that arrangement with the Therapeutic Play was effective in the comprehension of the procedure and in the control of their behavioral reactions.