can we use medicine for burns, rashes, bug bites?

[Trueblood83]

Hello!

I was just wondering if it was within the school nurses scope of practice to use topical creams for bug bites or hives? I am 3 days new to school nursing and I want to make sure I can do all for the kids that I can without doing something I'm not suppose to!

Texas school nurses especially would love to hear where I can find out more about scope of practice. Where do you get your information?

Thanks!

[rdsxfnrn]

in ct u must have either standing orders or a specific dr order and written parental permission. prob same where u r..........

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I don't think it's a matter of it not being in your scope of practice, it's a matter of giving medical treatment via medication to a minor child without parental permission.

[Trueblood83]

thanks!

[schoolnurse1001]

I'm in KY and I have a written protocols by a physician for any cream or OTC med I use. Consents are sent home to parents in the beginning of the school year. If the parents don't sign and return I don't put any cream on or give any meds. I would give them a ice pack or band-aide but no meds/creams.

I do work for the Health Dept and the Health Dept. has contracted with the school system to provide their nurses. So that makes it easier for us to get MD protocols.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I have treatment protocols which are signed off by the school md that allow for certain topicals.

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

Our school MD signs standing orders for anything we use. We have orders for things like Caladryl, hydrocortisone cream, burn cream, cough drops, artificial tears, etc. No oral meds without an order from the student's own physician. (unless you count cough drops)

[AdobeRN]

Im in Texas and we have standing orders from an MD. Some of the things we are allowed to give (with parents written permission) Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, topical - hydrocortisone creme, benadryl anti itch, cough drops, Tums, Anebesol, caladryl - we have a long list of others. Any other meds we need written permission from the parents.

[noreenl]

Keep in mind that in some states even SUNSCREEN is considered a topical cream and therefore you would need an order for it as well as is the case in NY. You never know if a child is allergic to something!! Always look out and as my instructor told me CYB!!!