How to handle ? concussion

kidzcare · Nov 4, 2015

Even if I feel they are manipulating- call the parents and let them teach their kid the seriousness of faking symptoms. Require a release from a neurologist before they can return to school.

I call kids out on exaggerating symptoms all the time. I have this exchange almost daily:

Kid- I can't move my ankle.

Me- well, you walked in here... so...

Kid- but it really hurts.

Me- I don't think you are lying about it hurting, but, from a medical standpoint, "hurts to move" and "cannot move" are very different things. "Hurts to move" means ice pack. "Cannot move" mean ambulance.

Kid- ...

Me- ...

Kid- can I have an ice pack?

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Nov 4, 2015

The sad part is this poor mom has dealt with this from both kids. I am making him sit out recess, let him eat lunch and come right back. Hopefully will send a message, he is soooo not happy.

SnowyJ, RN · Nov 4, 2015

We use the SCAT-3 and have to follow a concussion protocol for return to school/return to play per school policy. MD must clear student for gym and recess.

FYI: Concussion Toolkit for Medical Professionals

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Nov 4, 2015

We use the SCAT-3 and have to follow a concussion protocol for return to school/return to play per school policy. MD must clear student for gym and recess.
FYI: Concussion Toolkit for Medical Professionals

Thanks for that link. Will try it on my next kid. Seems much more streamlined.

SnowyJ, RN · Nov 4, 2015

It really is!

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Nov 4, 2015

Just got to use it, on a 6 year old. Thanks so much, I'm adopting it. Sweet.

Farawyn · Nov 5, 2015

We have 100% call for any head hit, including a basketball in gym. If the child is asymptomatic I let them go back to class with ice but always call the parents.

In case of concussion, they are out of all sports until cleared by a doctor. Once I get the note, our trainer does IMPACT with the kid. When they finish the IMPACT, we have those findings cleared by our district doctor. Only then can the child RTP.

I am getting a note for my son today. RTP/IMPACT starts tomorrow.

Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) Practices of Sports Medicine Professionals

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Nov 5, 2015

We have 100% call for any head hit, including a basketball in gym. If the child is asymptomatic I let them go back to class with ice but always call the parents.
In case of concussion, they are out of all sports until cleared by a doctor. Once I get the note, our trainer does IMPACT with the kid. When they finish the IMPACT, we have those findings cleared by our district doctor. Only then can the child RTP.
I am getting a note for my son today. RTP/IMPACT starts tomorrow.
Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) Practices of Sports Medicine Professionals

Hope your son has little residual. I am amazed how parents don't get brain rest. Explained that any video, computer, reading type activity as well as play are not to be done. Doctor reiterated with diagnosis, basically told the 5th grader to sit in a chair and stare at a wall. Kid was playing video games and watching movies on his 10 foot projector in his theater. Amazing, the kid still has residual. Kept him yesterday so he could have true brain rest away from distractions at home, amazingly he said his headache was better by the end of day. :banghead:

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Nov 5, 2015

and I have a kid who whacked his head at the end of the football season, been to the MD, now all set to re ImPACt test home and there is no baseline.......I missed him on the list.

ARGHHHHH :blink: When asked why he hadn't taken it he thought it was not important and was not here at the beginning of the season.....When asked if it ever occurred to him, with ALL the discussions about ImPACT and head injuries, that he could have thought to himself, "I did not not take that test", all I get is a blank stare.

I missed it, but is there no responsibility on the part of the kid?

Farawyn · Nov 5, 2015

I missed it, but is there no responsibility on the part of the kid?

Now, now Nutmegge. Let's not stress the little deers.

zombieghoast · Nov 5, 2015

Now that I am in my second year of being a school nurse I now ask how the kid hit their head. If the kid says that they bumped on the table and there is no mark I do not call. But if there is obvious swelling or a mark then I give a call and observe the student. I also like to ask where their heads hurt because if you just ask does your head hurt they will always say yes (it is always just at the spot that got hit)