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On the Frontline of Medical Discovery

A little boy coloring in a book.
You may download the individual pages by selecting one or more from the list below.
A child patient stands with his brother and two adults in front of the counter at the patient care unit. Holding a clipboard and smiling, the unit clerk stands behind the counter.
The unit clerk helps Carl and his family.
 Soon, Carl's nurse arrives and helps him settle in his room. The unit clerk takes care of all the paperwork and administrative details for the unit. Each child is assigned a primary nurse who assesses and plans the child's nursing care.
A female adult unpacks her child's luggage as the child meets her roommate, who sits relaxed on her bed. A television and teddy bear are in the background.
Kristie meets her roommate.
 Most children share rooms with other patients. On all pediatric floors, a parent may stay overnight with the child. The room has a television set and a telephone near every bed. There is also space to put clothes and personal things.
A male doctor places a stethoscope over a young boy's chest. An x-ray is in the background.
The doctor examines Alexander.
 On each admission, patients receive a physical examination.
A member of the Nutrition Department serves a meal tray to a young girl's bedside.
Lunchtime! What are your favorite foods?
 A dietitian meets with all patients. Sometimes, special diets may be necessary. The child's individual nutritional needs and preferences are taken into account.
A male socal worker sits down to talk with a young boy and his family.
Jim and his family talk to their social worker.
 Clinical Social workers help patients and their families learn about resources that can help them with hospitalization. The social worker can also help them cope with issues that arise related to their illness and discharge planning.
A health professional draws a young boy's blood.
Time for Carlos to have his blood drawn.
 It only hurts for a short time. Afterwards, his nurse draws a smiling face on the bandage. Blood draws may be needed often during the child's care. Nobody likes "needle sticks," but the staff is specially trained to draw blood quickly and with as little pain as possible.
A female nurse measures a young girl's temperature as she sits down. The girl holds a teddy bear..
In the outpatient clinic, the nurse checks Marcy's temperature.
 Vital signs–temperature, blood pressure, respiration, and pulse–may be taken often during the day. Other measurements including height and weight may also be taken.
A young girl meets 4 children in the playroom. A boy with an IV sits on a soccer ball,; another sits crosslegged on the floor with crayons; another is in a wheelchair and has an IV. A girl holds Kim's hand as a therapist smiles at the children.
Kim meets some friends in the playroom.
 Everyone has something fun to do. Therapeutic recreation specialists help children adjust to their hospitalization through play therapy, field trips, crafts, sports, and other social activities.
A girl lies on the platform that will be pushed into the CAT scanner. A technician stands by to attend her.
Alice has a CAT scan.
 It's a picture of the inside of her body. X-rays and scans are part of the diagnostic process to help doctors understand what is happening inside a patient's body. All the tests are explained, and the patient and family should feel free to ask any questions.
A young boy is in the library. Bookshelves line the wall behind him. A woman librarian smiles as she sits at a computer. Another adult and child are also in the library.
Tom visits the Patients' Library.
 The library has a special section for children's books. There are also selections for adults as well as newspapers and magazines.
A little girl sits with another at a table. She has an I.V. in her arm. A female teacher sits near the child as she writes on the paper in front of her. The blackboard behind the children shows arithmetic.
The teacher helps Carrie with her schoolwork in the school or at the bedside.
 Teachers in the NIH Children's School instruct students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It is important for children to continue their education while they are patients at the Clinical Center.
A girl lies on a stretcher. Her parents go with her as a health professional wheels her into the place where she will have her test.l
Mary rides on a stretcher to go to her test.
 Her parents come along, too. For certain tests, patients are transported on stretchers.
A young boy pushes his I.V. pole as he walks down the hall. Another boy smiles at him as he approaches. Two health professionals walk by.
Justin can go anywhere in the hospital, even with his I.V.!
 Children may need to have medicine and other fluids which can only be given through a vein. The bottle of liquid is hung on a pole that can be moved easily.
Three health professionals, two men and one woman, meet a patient on rounds. The patient is a young girl lying comfortably in her bed.
The doctors and other staff visit Jennifer during rounds.
 During rounds, the staff meets to discuss and plan further treatment.
A female volunteer hands a young boy a balloon that says, "Get well fast!" The boy is lying in bed, smiling, as one of his family members stands by, looking on..
A volunteer visits Mark.
 Volunteers assist in many ways to make patients and their families more comfortable.
A female health professional sits by a young girl as she swallows her medicine.
Time for medicine!
 Stacie takes her pills. A nurse or doctor gives medicine. A clinical pharmacist explains to patients how to take their medicine correctly.
A young girl sits with her family in a chapel pew. Two other adults walk into the chapel as a spiritual ministry staff member talks with the girl's family. A big vase of flowers rests in front of the altar.
Erica and her family visit the chapel.
 A chapel on the 14th floor of the Clinical Center is open for patients and families of any faith. Chaplains conduct services in the chapel and make visits on the patient care units.
Various medical items are shown: thermometer, blood pressure cuff, syringe, tongue depressor, sthethoscope, emesis basin, reflex hammer, I.V.pole.
Some things you see in the hospital.
 There are many items that are used in a patient's daily care: thermometer, blood pressure cuff, syringe, tongue depressor, stethoscope, emesis basin, reflex hammer, I.V. pole.
A yound girl holds a railing as she walks in a special area. A physical therapist sits beside her, guiding her as she walks.
The physical therapist works with Greta to help her walk better.
 Patients may need to work with a physical therapist to restore or develop mobility lost during illness or treatment. A physical therapist may plan an exercise program for patients to follow when they return home. Occupational therapists work with children to help them regain mobility, lost function, and self care.

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Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7511