Advice?My sons friend is acting strange.

Published

Specializes in Med Surg.

Hi, I don't want medical advice. More of a what would you do in this situation.

My sons friend is 16. He called me today stating when he woke up he was dizzy and weak. He ate sandwich - did not help. I went and got him. My assessment: eyes equal round and reactive. breath sounds clear. bp 100/45. heart rate 68 strong and regular. Temp 97, gait a little off, states he is dizzier when he stands up. His mental orientation~ he's acting like he is stoned (I know he is not), my daughter was blow drying her hair and he stated, "what is that wierd noise", he's not slurring words, but is not hearing what people say and it's like he is clouded/can't think totally straight. He wants to lay down and could fall asleep if he did, which is not like him at all. He's just not himself.

I called his dad. When I finally got him after leaving several voice mails and texts he came to see his son. I told his dad I would be happy to take son to local clinic and pay $20 copay but didn't want to infringe on his parental area. (I had already called clinic, they would see him asap if I could get ok from Dad). Dad decided his son was fine and son could stay with me. (Obviously its a wierd situation between son and dad, son stays with me most of time).

Anyway, I am worried about son but obviously I cannot do anything about it without dads permission. So, do I just sit and watch out for son and if it gets worse.....which I hope it doesn't....then make his dad come to er? As a new grad, all I know is that when mental orientation changes, it's a really bad sign. Right?

My biological son is sticking to friends side and we will just watch him. I am just worried. I hope I am worried for nothing...............

any advice at all would help me. I don't like being in this situation with no control and wierd things happening.

thanks.

me

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i would tell dad that if son doesn't get to a dr/er, you'll be calling 911.

mental status changes with that low a diastolic pressure, commands immediate attn.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

I wouldn't think you'd need parents' permission to take someone acutely ill to the ER, do you? I mean, if I find a kid wandering around the streets I can drive him to the ER without his parents' permission.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I wouldn't think you'd need parents' permission to take someone acutely ill to the ER, do you? I mean, if I find a kid wandering around the streets I can drive him to the ER without his parents' permission.

yes, at least in my area you need written consent. (and beware, if the parent doesn't pay they will come after you for the amount) I had to take my Niece to the ER when she was up visiting me during the summer, her parents live in WA.

Unless it's a minor girl that's pregnant (and I think some other things that don't warrant parent permission)

Sorry editing cause I mis-read your question, you can take them, but they won't be admitted. I am sure if it's emergent situation (life/death)it's different.

I agree with Leslie.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Take him to the doctor!! It may only be that his equalibrium is off, but what if he got hit in the head somehow, does'nt remember, and now has a concussion! Better to be safe than sorry.

-KaseyP

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

You would need parental permission to have him treated, likely in writing.

Does this young man WANT to go to the doctor? That may help sway his dad's opinion. If the clinic believes he needs to be seen, I'd let him know that, too.

Am I correctly assuming that your son's friend's mom isn't in the picture? You don't mention the possiblity of getting permission from her, which is why I am assuming that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.
Take him to the doctor!! It may only be that his equalibrium is off, but what if he got hit in the head somehow, does'nt remember, and now has a concussion! Better to be safe than sorry.

-KaseyP

He needs his dad's permission to be treated, that is the problem. The issue is not whether the OP WANTS to take him, it's that his dad doesn't want her to/won't give her permission to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

Why won't he - particularly if you offered to pay the copay? What does he have to lose? Perhaps try him again and stress that there can be serious consequences for neurological issues that are left untreated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i would tell dad that if son doesn't get to a dr/er, you'll be calling 911.

mental status changes with that low a diastolic pressure, commands immediate attn.

leslie

I agree. This child needs to be soon and the sooner the better. Call the father back at once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Why won't he - particularly if you offered to pay the copay? What does he have to lose? Perhaps try him again and stress that there can be serious consequences for neurological issues that are left untreated.

If his ins. only covers a portion he might not want to be stuck with the bill (the one that comes later since she is paying the co pay) so he wants to think he is fine. I know when I needed to take my Niece to ER I had written consent when she came, but her parents tried really hard to try and have me not take her. Their CoPay was higher since it was an out of state facility and ER. But I had footed the whole bill for my niece to come and all the things we did while she was here and the hospital said they would just bill them the co pay. They never paid though and the hospital ended up coming after me for the money.

Anyway, for them, the fact that their daughter was starting to have trouble breathing and was broken out from head to toe didn't seem to be as important as the money even though she had a long history of medical problems :|

Also if their is a negative history with dad and son as it sounds like in the OP he might think he son is just trying to get attention :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU. L&D, PP, Nursery.

Could the father somehow be the cause of the boy's problem? The father doesn't want the boy to say anything or anything be discovered by a Dr.?

Possibility of drug use?

Or, Dad could just be the kind of guy we all know that thinks a boy should just "walk if off", whatever the problem is.

Financial concerns? Leery of getting a big hospital bill.

How is the boy now?

What is our OP's responsibility, being a nurse, if she does not call 911 to at least try to get him care? The hospital would then have to sort out getting consent from Dad. Our OP does not necesarily have to have consent to call 911, does she?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

Cheaper to go to the dr office than to end up with an ambulance and ER bill if the kid gets worse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion