Do you always send home after Vomiting 1x?

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Had 2 in my office this morning after vomiting during PE. One had no other complaints and the other was focusing on their sore throat. PE teacher came to my office asking why they were sent back to class if they vomited. I clammed up (mind you, my computer isn't even up and running yet because I had just walked in the door) and I wasn't very nice. I did go back and apologize to my PE teacher. She definitely didn't deserve my attitude this morning!

I'm curious to know if vomiting once is an automatic pass home in your books?

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No, I don't. It depends if the kid loos sick, how they bounce back after, and, frankly, the vomitting episode itself. Sometimes the kids have a bit of anxiety and lunch doesn't sit right. Or they took a vitamin on an empty stomach. Usually, rest, water and a bite of some bland food, and they will be fine.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

We have a 2 puke policy, witnessed by an adult, and not just mucous/saliva. I have them rest in the clinic for 15 minutes, with crackers and water, and if there is no re-occurrence, then I send them back to class.

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Not automatic - like others have said just depends. I have a handful of kids that can throw up on command, throw up looking at the trash at lunch, throw up due to reflux issues - they don't get to go home. If I am not sure if it is a true sickness I defer to parents or I just come out and tell the parents they need to go home.

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Oh good! I'm glad to know y'all think like I do! I think I second guessed myself because both of these instances were witnessed by the teacher, however, both kiddos stated they had eaten a big breakfast and then they had been running laps in PE. I was basing my decisions off of what I was told by the kiddos and nothing made me feel like they needed to go home right now. I had both of them rest in my office and had just sent one back to class when the teacher came in questioning me. She just made me second guess myself and I got defensive I think.

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Oh good! I'm glad to know y'all think like I do! I think I second guessed myself because both of these instances were witnessed by the teacher, however, both kiddos stated they had eaten a big breakfast and then they had been running laps in PE. I was basing my decisions off of what I was told by the kiddos and nothing made me feel like they needed to go home right now. I had both of them rest in my office and had just sent one back to class when the teacher came in questioning me. She just made me second guess myself and I got defensive I think.

That's why we are here for each other.

Oh, kids that puke after the shuttle run??? Automatic back to class.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i agree with our virtual co-workers. It really depends. If the kid just has that look then yes, you're out the door. If it was a mouthful of phlegm, unwitnessed, or ar a result of food not sitting right, the spinny toy, anxiety, ect then no. Also sometimes you end up with a one and done type of situation.

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Specializes in kids.

There is a huge difference between the puking up of mucous and filling the toilet accompanied by a green face!!!

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Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

I learned the crackers, water, sit for 10 minutes - no puke - back to class trick right here at our "nurse's station".

(you can't see it, but I'm nodding enthusiastically :yes:)

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Oh good! I'm glad to know y'all think like I do! I think I second guessed myself because both of these instances were witnessed by the teacher, however, both kiddos stated they had eaten a big breakfast and then they had been running laps in PE. I was basing my decisions off of what I was told by the kiddos and nothing made me feel like they needed to go home right now. I had both of them rest in my office and had just sent one back to class when the teacher came in questioning me. She just made me second guess myself and I got defensive I think.

You had cause (double McBreakfast) and effect (laps then vomiting). She was second-guessing you, though. It's OK.

I said to the teachers at the beginning of the year "I'm going to beg forgiveness in advance because you'll send me a kid who tells you s/he's nauseous, and I'll send that kid back when s/he tolerates crackers in my clinic but vomits in your trashcan....

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

Usually, no. I can send them home after 1x. But, I love that we changed the policy- to "vomiting 2x in 24 hours to be

sent home." This allows for a little wobble room.

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Usually, no. I can send them home after 1x. But, I love that we changed the policy- to "vomiting 2x in 24 hours to be

sent home." This allows for a little wobble room.

Well. You do have an "in" with your Principal.

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