ixchel's What I Learned This Week, 12/26: Not a Creature was Stirring

Published

Not even a Louse.

lice.jpg

Lice.

Nits.

Oh deers!

These words have been known to strike fear into the hearts of every School Nurse. For one reason, and one reason, only. The Teachers.

There are about 5 threads on the SN Board right now talking about lice. For those that don't veer shockingly off topic, the theme that comes up ad nauseum is the teachers' lack of understanding about lice. What is it about lice that strikes fear into the hearts of teachers?

A few fun facts about lice:

They are bugs

They are attracted to clean hair. If you have lice, it does not mean you are dirty.

They lay eggs called "nits"

Nits are tiny white and sesame seed sized. They cling to hair shafts and are difficult to remove. They tend to cluster close to the scalp, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck.

Yes, if you are scratching, the mere mention of lice does that to all of us SN's as well. We are not immune to the psychosomatic itch.

Lice do NOT jump from person to person. In order to catch lice, you must share grooming utensils, headwear and beds- in other words, a slumber party for 5th grade girls can result in a HUGE lice outbreak.

If your child has lice, we will send her/him home to get treated with the shampoo. I'm not an ad exec, nor am I getting paid as an endorser, so I'm not mentioning brands. "Ask your doctor." I'm also old school, so I like the fine tooth comb.

Most schools now do NOT have a "no nit" policy.

And finally, and this is significant, The whole surrounding world/ classroom/ relatives from Jersey, do NOT have to be checked for lice just because Little Cliffy may have it.

(Now, that other lice? That's a tale for another day. Talk of it can be found on the SN board. :bag:

I will say that thanks to all things "retro" there will be a upswing in that other kind of lice.)

Are you itchy now? Me too.

I've also re-learned IV Tylenol is a hell of a drug. I am impressed with how quickly and efficiently I have seen it work not only on pain, but to bring down a fever.

I've re-learned that crazy old people are often crazier when they have a UTI. So, if Ed starts hopping the side rails, check his urine.

I've learned that Risperdal is a hell of a drug and needs to be tapered.

I've learned I can sleep HARD when I'm off, and that my cat sleeps with me because he thinks my snoring is purring.

I've learned Coquito is strong and must be tapered. (Kidding)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coquito

I've learned that smells are one of the biggest triggers to memories, and have been reminded of it several times this week. Some good, some not so good.

I've learned that I am excited for my friends who are students who have time off right now. My Big Kid, too!

I've learned that even when things are changing all around me, if I have my kids and people I love I can get through the holidays. I am glad Christmas is over, though.

Bring on 2016!

Thanks to my girl, ixchel, for trusting me with her thread this week.

For all of you working over the holidays, THANK YOU!!! A close family member of mine is hospitalized and nurses like you all have made all the difference in her care.

What have YOU learned this week?

I learned that you should not eat the organic salsa that your coworker brought to eat after it's been sitting out on the desk for a while.

Zofran and Reglan are two helluva drugs.

I just read this article after reading your post!

Local and organic food has extra safety risks. Just ask Chipotle.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just read this article after reading your post!

Local and organic food has extra safety risks. Just ask Chipotle.

Deep down, I knew all along that Arby's and iHop was the right choice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Jensmom-I'm so sorry about your kitty. I have an old man kitty and I am dreading the day I have to make a decision.

I learned this week that none of the other providers in my per diem Urgent Care job knew how (or more likely, didn't want) to give a poor cancer patient antibiotics through a PICC. They wanted to send this woman back to the ER...um, no.... that's not ok. We don't have RNs and the LPNs are not allowed to do this. I'm glad I was working so she didn't have to go back to the hospital.

I learned that I can eat a truckload of cookies. I'll be glad when the festivities wind down.

After reading Far's first post I re-learned that I am glad my kids are no longer school age. We went through the lice epidemic when DD was in middle school. We all ended up with it. It still gives me the willies to think about it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I learned that residents at assisted living facilities have cliques.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I learned that residents at assisted living facilities have cliques.

Yeah they do. And they like to play one caregiver against another. Kinda like a child asking mom and if she says no then asking dad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love this! Old cliques!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Then you've never had them at the restaurant where my daughter is a cook. :up: Honestly, my dh HATES them but tried them due to some coercion by his family and he actually liked them!

I love Brussels Sprouts! Slow roasted in the oven with other veggies. Stir-fried with other veggies. :yes:

Oh I never said I didn't like them. I LOVE them....especially roasted in the oven with olive oil. But it's what happens when my insides get ahold of them. It's not pretty....well...it's pretty painful :sour:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I love this! Old cliques!

Except for my sweet little client who is a bit intimidated to talk to the clique that all went to a particular prestigious college. It never ends, does it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry.
I learned that residents at assisted living facilities have cliques.

This and the trend of STIs increasing among the senior set makes it seem kinda like high school...not cool. :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This and the trend of STIs increasing among the senior set makes it seem kinda like high school...not cool. :rolleyes:

I know! I thought I had escaped all that! If my future children put me in a home, so help me god I will haunt them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry.
I know! I thought I had escaped all that! If my future children put me in a home, so help me god I will haunt them.

Especially if there are cheerleaders. Geriatric cheerleaders - how's that for a visual?

(My apologies to cheerleaders but I did not have good experiences with them in high school)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Who are these gangs of geriatric cheerleaders with STIs?

And do they have crabs? (OT!)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion