Cough drops

Specialties School

Published

I am allowed to dispense cough drops per standing order in my school. I buy cheap ones in boxes of 1200.

In the month of September I went through 1 box plus some of cough drops. So probably about 1400 cough drops. IN ONE MONTH!!!!!

I went through 1 box (1200) for the entire school year last year.

I have students stop in ALL DAY LONG asking for cough drops. They leave in the middle of class just for cough drops. They come to my office between classes and get cough drops. They even come after school for cough drops.

Sometimes it's the same student. Sometimes it's all different students. Sometimes it's an afterthought. Like "Can I have ibuprofen for my headache? Oh! And can I get some cough drops?" I even had one student come in and take some "for the weekend, because we can't afford them." I was in the middle of something else when she said this so I didn't have time to stop her, plus I felt kind of bad.

I have started telling people I am out of cough drops (even though I am not) to see if this will curb down on the visits. But it hasn't.

So what do I do? Keep giving them out? Stop giving them out all together? Limit to 2? Then they'll be back for more before class even ends (We have 80 minute blocks in our school).

How do you handle cough drops at your school?

OldDude

1 Article; 4,787 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

If the parent brings cough drops to school for their child to use I'll keep them in the clinic for that purpose; otherwise I don't have any. Staff donates a stash that I keep for their use.

I have cough drops in my office as well but anyone who wants one has to have an OTC meds form signed by their parent and Dr. and on file indicating they can have cough drops (there are places to check off other things as well). I have a canister of them on my counter but never fill it up more than halfway. I also never let kids take more than 1 at a time and they are not allowed to return for more than a total of 3 in a day. If I'm seeing them too many days in a row I threaten to cut them off. Usually this helps. I also don't buy any that taste good. In your case I might also tell kids they are only allowed to come for cough drops in between classes.

abc123RN

506 Posts

We can only give parent provided cough drops or any medication for that matter. OTC meds are limited to twice per day. I do keep soft peppermints in my office that I will give some students depending on what is going on.

tining, BSN, RN

1,071 Posts

Specializes in School Nurse.

My trick is "I need to take your temp and look at your throat." Which gets a - "I just need a cough drop." My response is "If you have strep throat or tonsillitis, your mom would not be happy with me and I would not be doing my job." If they refuse to be checked out, I guess they did not need the cough drop. Also, "If your mom provides them, I can keep them in my office." I also have a time limit on how often they can get them in a day. There is also the good old warm salt water gargle - which is way better since salt is a vesicant and kills germs.

SnowyJ, RN

844 Posts

I buy non medicated Halls Breezers and only give them out if I feel there is a need. I will check a throat, take temp, etc. if throat looks ok, they are offered a salt water gargle. If a little red, they get gargle and or a throat drop.

I limit how many I give out to about 8/day. Otherwise I would go broke. When they are gone, that's it.

NanaPoo

762 Posts

Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

I keep a minimal of everything at all times. It keeps kids from just taking tons. Does that make sense?

For example, I have a tray with a water pitcher, 3 oz Dixie cups, and a bottle of hand sanitizer. If the stack of Dixie cups is huge (like 15-20 cups) & the water pitcher is full kids will go crazy like it's water buffet day. I have to keep only 3-4 cups in the stack and the pitcher nearly empty as though the world is nearly out of water.

Same for the hand sanitizer. If that pump is full, they'll take a bath in the stuff. But if it appears to be running out, they'll take only the small amount they need. It's all a weird mental game I have to play.

Same with cough drops. I have certain kids that prefer to take them frequently so I keep my little jars looking as if they're about to run out-2 or 3 in the bottom of a big glass jar. If the kids knew I have a year's supply of the things in my closet they'd shove their cheeks and pockets full like little crazed chipmunks. There's one kid in particular that taught me this lesson and I have to tell him, "they're all gone, you ate them all."

Wave Watcher

751 Posts

Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

We do not give out cough drops. I see them as a choking hazard. If you are coughing...inhaling quickly then there is a good chance the cough drop is going down the wrong way and getting lodged. No thanks. My standard line is, "Go drink water or bring a water bottle to school." Water is free out of the fountain if needed. :-)

Flare, ASN, BSN

4,431 Posts

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

technically cough drops are considered medication around here so to dispense them i'd have to have an order. That being said, i don't have time in the day to stop and frisk students for Ricolas. If a teacher sends a student down with contraband Halls, i'll let the student have one and tell them to stash the rest in their backpack for the day and encourage not to bring in the next day.

allnurses Guide

Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN

11,304 Posts

We don't buy them because we are not allowed to dispense them without a doc's ok. Then it is up to the parent to purchase them.

We had to get rid of petroleum jelly a couple of years ago (I keep a stash anyway).

I can't imagine having cough drops and that many kids coming up to the office to bug the office staff.

NanaPoo

762 Posts

Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

I feel like such a wild child here in my private school doling out Tylenol, advils, peptos, decongestants even! I don't even ask permission for the cough drops or petroleum jelly (though I do heavily check for allergens..did you know Luden's aren't necessarily safe for your peanut allergy kids??)

NutmeggeRN, BSN

2 Articles; 4,620 Posts

Specializes in kids.
I feel like such a wild child here in my private school doling out Tylenol, advils, peptos, decongestants even! I don't even ask permission for the cough drops or petroleum jelly (though I do heavily check for allergens..did you know Luden's aren't necessarily safe for your peanut allergy kids??)

Me too, we are allowed, with parent permission to do Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, decongestant, cough drops, etc I encourage fluids rest etc to minimize OTC but in HS, it's what they need to get through the day vs going home!

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