Inhaler before Recess & PE?

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Hello fellow school nurses,

I am relatively new and wanted to ask something about inhalers. My 3rd graders have Recess at 12:50 and PE at 1:30. Each of their action plans states "take 2 puffs of inhaler 15 minutes before sports". If they take their inhaler at 12:50 before going to Recess AND before to PE at 1:15, is that too close to be getting that many puffs? Should they only be getting the 2 puffs before Recess and should it still be working through PE? (Recess is 15 minutes and PE is 40 minutes) I didn't want to give them too much albuterol in such a short period of time.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I would give 2 puffs before recess and leave it at that unless they complain during PE or you hear wheezing. Most kids exert more energy during recess than PE on the elementary level anyway and that medicine can be effective for up to 4 hours. I think EIB is probably THE most OVER DIAGNOSED condition in kids!

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For my kids like that, my parents are good with using the inhaler before recess only. Thus far, the kids have been fine through PE.

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Specializes in kids.

I agree with the above, I would just get the order clarified w/ provider office. They have NO idea what the kids schedule is!

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Agree with OldDude... not giving again that close in time unless that child is showing some compelling s/s.

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Agreed as well.

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.
I would give 2 puffs before recess and leave it at that unless they complain during PE or you hear wheezing. Most kids exert more energy during recess than PE on the elementary level anyway and that medicine can be effective for up to 4 hours. I think EIB is probably THE most OVER DIAGNOSED condition in kids!

It's late and my brain is not functioning. I was reading your post and saw "EIB" and for about 10 hot seconds I was trying to figure out why you were referring the the European Investment Bank (EIB). Good grief. I'm going to bed! Oh, and yes....I agree....exercise induced bronchospasms are over diagnosed in my school also. :-) Night!

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Does the order specify q4-q6 prn? If so, I definitely wouldn't give more in such a short time span.

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