And this is why schools need a legit nurse

So our amazingly nice front desk manager called me just now and says "I have a student here who I am sending home. I checked his temperature an hour ago and it was 90. Now it's 98 so he is burning up fast" He says "I didn't want to bother you with something so obvious so I went ahead and called mom to come get him".

After I gently informed him that if the kid's temp was indeed 90 degrees he would be dead, I told him that 98 was not a fever either and I would prefer he just send me all the kids since he has more important things to do with his time than play nurse. I called mom back and she said he was complaining all night of a headache and cough and cold symptoms so she was coming to get him anyway so he can rest at home.

[caliotter3]

At least mom wasn't upset about being called. That's a change.

[tining, BSN, RN]

[lvnforschool]

In defense of the front desk personnel, my point and shoot therm is ALWAYS off. I just figure they are normal temp if it doesn't show anything above 99.5. I can't imagine if I told a kid or his parent his temp was 90.7 which is sometimes what pops up.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

In defense of the front desk personnel, my point and shoot therm is ALWAYS off. I just figure they are normal temp if it doesn't show anything above 99.5. I can't imagine if I told a kid or his parent his temp was 90.7 which is sometimes what pops up.

Agree, I usually can never get anything above 95. And for some reason these kids CANNOT figure out a freaking oral thermometer??? "COVER IT LIKE A BLANKET!!!!"

I invested in a tympanic thermometer.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I hate temporal thermometers, I really want them to work, I really do.

[OldDude]

I hate temporal thermometers, I really want them to work, I really do.

Ditto...I've tried all kinds of thermometers and I keep going back to the oral, Welch Allyn Sure Temp.

[BeckyESRN]

I really like my VeraTemp no touch thermometer! The only time I have any issue is when these boys with really thick hair and bangs come in, I have to move their hair out of the way for a minute or two before checking. My previous temporal thermometer was all over the place. I'd check once and it would say 95.3 then 101. I hated it. I used an older tympanic while I waited for my VeraTemp and Holy ear wax, Batman! Ew

[GdBSN, RN]

I really like my VeraTemp no touch thermometer! The only time I have any issue is when these boys with really thick hair and bangs come in, I have to move their hair out of the way for a minute or two before checking. My previous temporal thermometer was all over the place. I'd check once and it would say 95.3 then 101. I hated it. I used an older tympanic while I waited for my VeraTemp and Holy ear wax, Batman! Ew

Ditto...love my VeraTemp.

[DEgalRN]

Yep, that's why we need school nurses! I would hope that common sense would indicate that a 90 degree temp would be close to normal for any layperson though!

I never trust my thermometer, but we just don't have a budget for a really good one. I use it as a secondary tool, and focus on symptoms more. If they appear ill, but they have a temp on the line, I'll probably give them a little more benefit of the doubt.

[Amethya]

We had to get a oral one because the temporal one is not accurate. Lots of kids come in from running outside, obviously sweaty and then tell me "I think I got a fever, I feel hot." Obviously the temporal will say like 100, but now with oral, I can just look at them with a "Are you serious" look and tell them, "No fever. Your fine, go get a drink of water."