How heavy is your hammer?

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Good morning all! It's a rainy day here in Texas! I was just wondering how you guys handle your frequent flyers and the phantom vomiters. When do you bring the "hammer down" on calling home? Already this morning I've had a student say they "threw up this morning" but, as usual, they seems fine by the time they make it to me. I let them call mom but there was no answer (SURPRISE!). The teacher sent the student back down to make sure a message is left for mom, so naturally, a second call was made and a message was left. I've sent said student back to class with instructions to come back if they feel sick again.

So, to summarize, at what point are parents called or are you stricter with your phone call policy?

I'm going to go row out to my car now to get my jacket because our office is going through menopause at the moment...

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I clicked on this for the title alone.

Light. My hammer is light. I don't have to back up required to wield a heavy hammer. My inner badass goes on hold here.

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I usually call parents of phantom vomiters and let them decide if student should go home - 99% of the time parent states they are fine to stay. I always tell them that I feel they can stay and we will see how the day goes - then before sending the kid back to class, I mention to them that I need to see the vomit next time - rarely do I have a repeat that day. If I don't get ahold of parent - I just leave a message of whatever the kid told me and send them back to class.

Most of the time parents get tired of me calling about this and will have a talk with their child.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

it sort of depends of the kid. My malingerers usually don't even make it through their complaint and i've vera-temp'd them (because they will be convinced they are running a 105 fever if i don't) and started charting them and then i send them back on their way. If they come back - usually 2-3 total is my magic number depending on my mood i'll call home and let their parents make the call but let them know that their parent's decision if final. If it's a no - then i don't want to see them back for that stomach ache, head ache, sore throat, head cold or what ever complaint they've been most likely disrupting the entire class with the whole day. They may return if it's 9-1-1 worthy

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My first question for phantom vomiters is "what color was your throw up?" Let them rest & talk small talk, then ask what did you have for breakfast. MOST of the time the colors "don't match up." hehe. Unless you bring me a trash can with vomit (or adult sees it) or throw up in my office, back to class you go!!!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Unwitnessed vomiting carries zero weight in my book. Love the pushing water idea. Push 12 oz of water, if the vomiting is viral, the student will most likely vomit soon after. I push the water in my office and send them back to class with a bucket, 50% don't take the bucket (my FF), this is my lie detector.

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I don't generally call home for my FFers.

I do generally call home for students who I don't usually see. Even for phantom vomiters. Especially if they don't look well.

For general stomachaches I don't generally call home, because I get a lot of them. And if it got around that I let them call home for that, I would have an office full of "nausea" and "I threw up a little in my mouth."

I already get the, "you let so and so go home for a headache," when so and so had a migraine where they couldn't open their eyes and were curled up in pain.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I used to use the 3 strikes/call but I'm down to 2 visits now; then I'll call the parent and ask them if they want the kid to stay at school, bring them some medicine, or pick them up. If the parent says they can go back to class I'm done with them for the rest of the day unless they return and I see fever, vomiting, or diarrhea poop running down their leg or soaking their clothes. And no, they can't lay down and rest for a little while and all that...

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
I used to use the 3 strikes/call but I'm down to 2 visits now; then I'll call the parent and ask them if they want the kid to stay at school, bring them some medicine, or pick them up. If the parent says they can go back to class I'm done with them for the rest of the day unless they return and I see fever, vomiting, or diarrhea poop running down their leg or soaking their clothes. And no, they can't lay down and rest for a little while and all that...

You softie.

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I clicked on this for the title alone.

Light. My hammer is light. I don't have to back up required to wield a heavy hammer. My inner badass goes on hold here.

This made me laugh! That's kind of where I'm at as well, although I would love to grow that back bone and tell them they're just fine. Especially since NO ONE ELSE witnessed the vomiting!

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Thanks for the responses guys! :)

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I clicked on this for the title alone.

I keep picturing Thor

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