Smelling Salts

[ro2878, ADN, BSN]

Hi All,

Just accepted a job at a different school district. Co-worker/friend at my old district accepted a position with this district as well. We will be at different elementary schools. She has been in her new office and said that she has a tube of smelling salts taped to the wall. I have not yet been in my new office but assume my office has the tube as well. Our old district did not have smelling salts.

I have never had a student pass out on me but have had teenagers pass out on me after administering vaccines when I worked private practice at a peds office. Kiddo would typically say felt fine, walk out of exam room with parent, and then pass out while waiting to check out. Kiddo already on carpet, or in process, when I rushed over/parent called out. If not already down, I would lower them. They would "come to" pretty quickly and then I would have them rest on exam table for 10 min.

We never used smelling salts and am wondering if their use is even recommended practice. I know coaches used to give them to boxers and athletes so they could continue playing but I would certainly never try to push a student athlete, especially because in those situations likely have head injury/concussion after taking a hit.

Are there situations where you would use smelling salts in your office or is this just an outdated practice?

Thanks in advance!

[OldDude]

I don't have any in my clinic. But if I did the only time I could think I would use them would be if I thought someone was faking a fainting spell; and that would just be for entertainment.

[coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN]

We have them, but it's either in my emergency to-go bags or in the lab where we do blood draws.

[peacockblue]

I do not have smelling salts. I have a couple of fainters every year, but they always come to! :) Never used them even when I worked in the hospital.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

They are the gold standard in rooting out fakers.

[heinz57]

Someone please tell me this discussion is a joke!

Smelling salts?! Ammonia inhalants?! Used on kids?!!! It is abusive when used on adults but kids??! Seriously??!!

If you are torturing kids and risking an airway compromise just for your amusement and hoping to find a "faker"....there are just no words.

Leave the ammonia inhalants in the 1970s.

[guest83140]

We used it once for a 10th grader who passed out kinda from anxity. She fought it,moving away from it. I didn't know we had it. I think it was from old stock that is no longer in our standing orders. Now we just call EMS if if they're easily aroused.

[Farawyn]

I may or may not have a few.

Never used them. But yea.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I found one in every classroom first aid kit when I started at my school. First thing I did was throw them out.

I may have one stashed in the depths of my drawer, but I have never ordered new ones.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i keep a box on hand. Sometimes deep sternal rubs are just not enough. I think in 15 years i've used them twice

[Farawyn]

i keep a box on hand. Sometimes deep sternal rubs are just not enough. I think in 15 years i've used them twice

Oh, I've used them. Just not in a school setting.