Just sent my first via ambulance....

Published

Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

5th grader who broke his clavicle 10days ago (his arm is still immobilized) was knocked over while coming in from recess, landed on his back and shoulders... I'm so glad our recess monitors are so good... They immediately called me down, and even though he was saying he felt ok, he was guarding his shoulder, pale and diaphoretic, and his verbal response time was slowed. Of course both parents are with their other child at specialist appointments 2.5 hours away all day! I told admin to call the parents and let them know I recommend EMS eval/transport, and they of course agreed. EMS came, agreed with my assessment and away he went, poor kiddo. I feel confident that it will be fine, but I just couldn't take the risk, and I most certainly was not moving him by myself.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Kuddos to you for prompt and thorough response!

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Great job! Poor kiddo!!

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Poor kid! You made the right call, though, not moving him.

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Specializes in kids.

Waiting on old dude...?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Bam! Another kid snatched from the jaws of death! School nurses - that's what we do!! Excellent assessment and intervention!! ?

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Way to act quickly!!!

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Any updates? Hope he is OK!

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

good call! Hope he was ok.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

Nothing like one of these to get the heart rate up. Good call all the way around.

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Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

Update! He did indeed re-fracture in the same place (I'm sure there's a more clinical term for this...) Luckily, he was in and out of the ER within 2 hours!

I think he'll be back in class tomorrow. He may even be here today, I honestly haven't checked with admin yet!

Thanks everyone for your kind words of support!!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

You did the right thing by the student. As it turns out, your nursing judgment was validated by the exam....but more importantly, you did the right thing in the moment. YAY!

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