To distract an uncooperative child-especially a toddler or preschooler-during a physical exam, I carry a small, sound-making rubber duck in my pants pocket (invisible to the child). I squeeze the duck with my hand or press my leg against the exam table to make noise while simultaneously palpating the child's abdomen. The child's curiosity about the source of the sound makes the rest of the exam easy.
Bhagwan D. Bang, MDOpp, Ala.
