The physician ordering the bone marrow is responsible for providing information about the procedure to the patient or parent or guardian, if the patient is a child. In order to reduce the patient's anxiety about the procedure, the physician may prescribe a mild sedative to be administered about an hour before the bone marrow is scheduled. The site is aseptically prepared by shaving, if necessary, washing with soap and water, applying antiseptic and draping the area with sterile towels. A local anesthetic, such as 2% xylocaine, is injected into the bone, penetrating the covering of the bone called the periosteum. Since a number of nerve endings are located near the surface of the bone, it is important to be sure that this area is anesthetized.