Detecting drug use in students

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I'm new to school nursing, and feel a lack of confidence for knowing when my students might be under the influence of something. :smokin: Any tips? We are not allowed to do drug testing at the school, and there have been many issues with drug use. I just sent a kid to the ER yesterday after inhaling butane from a lighter of all things. Of course, the paramedics told mom to take him to his PCP. That it was "nervous tics" -until we found out about the butane. Kid couldn't even talk he was stuttering so bad, waving his arms around uncontrollably, and having severe facial ticks with blurry vision and feeling "cold." Paramedics didn't even bother to assess him or have him try to sit up before they said he didn't need them.:mad: But I digress... this stuff was obvious, sometimes a kid is just extra friendly and I'm suspicious!

"Stop it!"

I'm a special kind of snowflake

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I'm amazed at the response. I'll check out these suggestions STATí ½í¸† I guess I need to put my big girl panties on and ASK them, first of all.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I'm a special kind of snowflake

Yes you are...very special :D

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jesserpie said:
I'm amazed at the response. I'll check out these suggestions STAT - I guess I need to put my big girl panties on and ASK them, first of all.

Sometimes they really want to tell.

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Another issue I have is with a particular student that I have ordered stimulants to give for ADHD, and I worry about the effects if he happens to be on something that day. He has been caught with drugs in the past. One more reason to push for morning meds AT HOME.

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Just need to fail someone for something.......NO NEED FOR YOU TO TEST ANYTHING!....It is not in your purview to violate anyone should you suspect drug use in any student send them home pass the info to the directors and your done. ANA dictates along with board decisions how and when any student get their privacy violated....should you decide to do it alone suffer the wrath from student, parent, siblings, even boy/girl friend and don't for a second think physical violence won't happen. If the student is not engaging in drug use this means you just slandered them and when you document it then liable is the add on.. JUST DON'T DO IT. All risk no reward

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I documented my objective findings.

Nurses do not diagnose.

We assess. That's not drug testing.

Good luck in nursing school.

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Just need to fail someone for something.......NO NEED FOR YOU TO TEST ANYTHING!....It is not in your purview to violate anyone should you suspect drug use in any student send them home pass the info to the directors and your done. ANA dictates along with board decisions how and when any student get their privacy violated....should you decide to do it alone suffer the wrath from student, parent, siblings, even boy/girl friend and don't for a second think physical violence won't happen. If the student is not engaging in drug use this means you just slandered them and when you document it then liable is the add on.. JUST DON'T DO IT. All risk no reward

You really do seem to specialize in a lot of things considering you're a student. (Yes, I'm stalking.)

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You really do seem to specialize in a lot of things considering you're a student. (Yes, I'm stalking.)

Purp!!! :inlove:

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
Redandgraystars said:
Just need to fail someone for something.......NO NEED FOR YOU TO TEST ANYTHING!....It is not in your purview to violate anyone should you suspect drug use in any student send them home pass the info to the directors and your done. ANA dictates along with board decisions how and when any student get their privacy violated....should you decide to do it alone suffer the wrath from student, parent, siblings, even boy/girl friend and don't for a second think physical violence won't happen. If the student is not engaging in drug use this means you just slandered them and when you document it then liable is the add on.. JUST DON'T DO IT. All risk no reward

20hH8uM.jpg.35375aaa7dfc613b74e6dee3c3d30dd8.jpg

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Specializes in kids.
Sometimes they really want to tell.

So very true

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Even though it's a Monday morning...this made me laugh out loud - very!! I think it sums up everyone's response. Thanks DeLana

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