Detecting drug use in students

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Mar 4, 2016

Check with your state association, they may know of trainings that will help you in assessing students. Stick to your guns, you were clearly on point with this kids assessment. Our State police sometime provide trainings and there are on line tools you can use. Check with your local PD and see of there is a DRE, drug recognition expert. That is beyond what yo will do in your office but they may be able to help you with common assessments.

Here are a few links

School Nurses: Trusted Student Health Professionals and Agents of Substance Abuse Prevention | whitehouse.gov

DECP - Drug Impairment Training for Educational Professionals (DITEP)

Flare, ASN, BSN · Mar 4, 2016

I have a form that runs through steps similar to a sobriety test. Thankfully, I haven't had to use it in a while. Children suspected under the influence need to be sent out and tested per decision of admins here. My job as the nurse is to check for immediate danger to the student and assess the student.

OldDude · Mar 4, 2016

Although this issue is almost non-existent on the elementary I have used the horizontal gaze nystagmus test over the years in the ER and Urgent Care. I am not "certified" in administering the test but I know how to do it. It is very reliable to identify intoxication from alcohol and many drugs and the person has no voluntary control over the test.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Mar 4, 2016

Here is another assessment tool form Northeastern Univ (Boston)

https://www.neushi.org/student/programs/attachments/Drugsymptomassess.pdf

OldDude · Mar 4, 2016

Here is another assessment tool form Northeastern Univ (Boston)
https://www.neushi.org/student/programs/attachments/Drugsymptomassess.pdf

Thanks Nutmegge, I like this. When I start on any kind of algorithm I just glaze over.

KSM-RN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2016

Here is one we have found and passed on through our district...

Detailed Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use | Student Health Services

DEgalRN · Mar 4, 2016

I have a form that runs through steps similar to a sobriety test. Thankfully, I haven't had to use it in a while. Children suspected under the influence need to be sent out and tested per decision of admins here. My job as the nurse is to check for immediate danger to the student and assess the student.

Are you able to share that form? We've had a couple of instances here with suspected drug use and we don't have any official forms related to my assessment and I think it would be helpful.

Thanks.

Farawyn · Mar 4, 2016

I have similar charts and flow sheets. Nystagmus is my go to, many times. PERRLA, slurred speech, stuttering. I also take a full set of vitals and say "Mhm hmm" while assessing them and giving them the evil eye. Many times they simply crack and confess.

Our Vice Ass. P. has a breathalyzer.

Oftentimes, they reek of whatever.

The butane, though, that's huffing, yes?

That scares me.

SchoolNurseTXstyle · Mar 4, 2016

The nurse's role is just to assess the need for immediate medical intervention and stability of student. Often, administrators want a definitive diagnosis and without actually have a way to perform a drug test, we cannot do that.

kidzcare · Mar 4, 2016

The butane, though, that's huffing, yes?
That scares me.

Don't laugh at me OK...? I accidentally and recently "huffed". I had an aerosol room freshener and it ran out. I could hear the air rushing out of it too and intelligently thought "I wonder if the air smells good too?" and took a big long inhale. Got super dizzy and realized that I am not qualified to be an adult.

Farawyn · Mar 4, 2016

Don't laugh at me OK...? I accidentally and recently "huffed". I had an aerosol room freshener and it ran out. I could hear the air rushing out of it too and intelligently thought "I wonder if the air smells good too?" and took a big long inhale. Got super dizzy and realized that I am not qualified to be an adult.

"Stop it!"