Difficult Parents...

[Finally2008]

I have been a school nurse for 2 months now. I have had real difficulty with one parent lately. The order on her son's inhaler was written (on the box) as "Take 5 times daily for cough while running" She got so angry with me today because I told her that our county has a policy for clarification when an order is not specific enough. Am I crazy--isn't 5 times daily not specific enough? I mean, 5 times in a 24 hour period, 5 times in a school day, etc? please tell me your thoughts. I feel like I am running into so many situations like this...and seem to have a parent get angry with me too often. I sometimes feel like I'm darned if I do, darned if I don't...

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

let me see if i can find it on the computer (i'm new!) the hipaa is usually signed when they register so it doesn't come from our office, usually.

Thx I can give you my fax # in a PM if you like

[fetch, BSN, RN]

Here's the one from the NIH, it's the base that Virginia (and it looks like New Jersey) base their action plans on. You can also try googling "asthma action plan (state)" for your location.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.pdf

[dinorn92]

I agree it needs clarification. At minimum I would tell mom that 5 times a day in 24 hours is only every 4 hours, so if it needs to be more frequently than that, you definatley need a written order on how often.

I dont' trust that all pharmacies think/get the computer alert as to what is going on the label. My own daughter was given a prescription of liquid codeine that said 3-4 teaspoon....it was supposed to be 3/4 tsp......scares me that some non medical parent would possibly have given the 4 teaspoons!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for all the other links. I found one that I linked on the previous page that I really like.

We should makes "stickies" of these things for future reference to newbies to school nursing.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Thanks for all the other links. I found one that I linked on the previous page that I really like. We should makes "stickies" of these things for future reference to newbies to school nursing.

Post your request with links in the admin help desk I'm sure they'll be happy to help

[GundeRN]

I agree it needs clarification. At minimum I would tell mom that 5 times a day in 24 hours is only every 4 hours, so if it needs to be more frequently than that, you definatley need a written order on how often.

I dont' trust that all pharmacies think/get the computer alert as to what is going on the label. My own daughter was given a prescription of liquid codeine that said 3-4 teaspoon....it was supposed to be 3/4 tsp......scares me that some non medical parent would possibly have given the 4 teaspoons!

We are talking about an inhaler here. You don't have to space out puffs on an inhaler over 24 hours.

[IchoricaSN]

You have the right to clarify any orders you arent comfortable with regardless of anyone elses interpretations.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Thx I can give you my fax # in a PM if you like

I meant the HIPAA form....