The Effect of Video Informing Adolescents Having Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) Test on Anxiety During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Study

In the coronavirus pandemic, PCR testing is still the gold standard in the diagnosis of the disease. PCR with the right method can increase the sensitivity of the test. Adolescents' anxiety and anxiety levels may increase during invasive procedures such as PCR testing. In addition, in this process, factors such as the uncertainty created by the pandemic, disruption of routines, loss of school and peer social ties, and fear of getting sick bring along many mental disorders. The fact that the tests and treatments for the disease are new and that they are not informed about the procedures to be done cause the anxiety levels of the adolescents to increase. Nurses who treat adolescents with care and personal protective equipment may not be able to communicate verbally, sensorially, eye-to-eye with adolescents, and may have difficulty in conveying their voices and emotions. Likewise, by wearing a mask, it prevents nurses from observing their reactions to the hospital environment and procedures. Video education is one of the most effective ways for nurses to fulfill their educational roles during the epidemic when communication is limited. For this reason, it is very important to inform before the PCR sample collection process with a video prepared in accordance with the developmental stages of the adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the video that adolescents will watch before the procedure on their anxiety.