Cough drops

[tgray152001]

I posted this originally in the wrong section. How do you guys handle the cough drop dilemma? The kids think they are candy and aren't even coughing when they want one. What do you guys do?

[peacockblue]

I have a standing order. I give 2-3 at a time. I have a few that abuse and want them every day. Just like the tampons, some of the kids will treat you like the local convenience store. I go through about 1800/year for a school of 700.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I have a standing order. I give 2-3 at a time. I have a few that abuse and want them every day. Just like the tampons, some of the kids will treat you like the local convenience store. I go through about 1800/year for a school of 700.

Yep and yep. For me it is pads.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I bought the "life-saver" mint for my littles who I am worried might choke on my regular mints.

my personal policy is that mints don't go to anyone below 3rd grade.

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

We have to have a doctor's order for EVERYTHING we give a child, including cough drops.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Interesting side note....at the summer camp we now have a protocol that says that we do not suppress coughs (!!!) especially in the younger dudes. So sayeth the three camp pediatric ER MDs.

Now, you can imagine how well summer camp staff like this.

But back to your question - I used to have them (because cough drops *might* be covered under first aid). But then we had a whole kerfuffle about whether they're medication or not, so I quit. I don't care if kids carry.

Is the cough caused by drainage? Then the kid needs water. Is the cough caused by something you can auscultate? Then the kid needs water (and probably an expectorant). Unless the cough is really bothersome, they go back to class with water.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

We have to have a doctor's order for EVERYTHING we give a child, including cough drops.

And that is what keeps your license safe! Although I did have a particularly unpleasant parent state (after he asked if I could give sweet darling Tylenol/Tums/A mint) - "It's like a third world country up in there."

[AutumnDraidean]

Interesting side note....at the summer camp we now have a protocol that says that we do not suppress coughs (!!!) especially in the younger dudes. So sayeth the three camp pediatric ER MDs.

Now, you can imagine how well summer camp staff like this

My kids pedi claimed that cough medicine just does NOT work. He "Un-recommended" both robitussin and dextromethorphan. It took me a while to reconcile myself to this view because it also came with the assertion that anyone with a chronic cough had asthma.

Now, years later I have a better understanding of the whole thing. I agree with him about OTC cough medicine, one of my kids does have mild, exercise induced asthma, but the only time she's symptomatic is during the mile run at school and her peak flows are otherwise just fine.

[Daisy Joyce]

I hate, I hate, I hate cough drops.

Especially after I worked at a school where groups of kids were coming to me for them, during class time, giggling and laughing, but nary a cough in the whole bunch.

The teacher just wanted to have a break from annoying students for a while.