Med admin difficulty

Published

I always have difficulty administering meds on this 12 year old student. He either hides them under his tongue or in his gums. Besides making him say "aahhh" what else can I do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Is he SPED? If not, I would consult parents. That is far too immature for a normally developed sixth grader. I would suggest crushing in applesauce if it is a crushable med, if parents are amenable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Is he SPED? If not, I would consult parents. That is far too immature for a normally developed sixth grader. I would suggest crushing in applesauce if it is a crushable med, if parents are amenable.

He has adhd and odd plus HTN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I don't even go there. I'm not running a behavioral facility. I'll hand the medicine to the student. If they want to play games about taking it, that is an issue to be addressed on a completely different level than a school health clinic. So if you never take on that responsibility you can never be accused of not making sure the medicine was taken.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i'm not above doing mouth checks, no matter the age, if I suspect that the medication is being cheeked. I agree though that the parents should be in the conversation if not already aware that there are concerns about compliance. - i will add though -i agree with OD - i am not here to fight with a student to take their meds. They refuse, i chart it, contact parents if necessary and move on. I am not here to force anyone. If they cheek it, I ask them to swallow it, if they won't or spit it out, then we move on. No games, no fights. Their parents can have that fun.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't even go there. I'm not running a behavioral facility. I'll hand the medicine to the student. If they want to play games about taking it, that is an issue to be addressed on a completely different level than a school health clinic. So if you never take on that responsibility you can never be accused of not making sure the medicine was taken.

I'm not sure I'm reading this right... I think, as the nurse, we have the responsibility to make sure the student/patient has taken the medication. If the student refuses or is otherwise playing games about it, then we document. At that point it is a behavioral issue and admin can deal with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I'm not sure I'm reading this right... I think, as the nurse, we have the responsibility to make sure the student/patient has taken the medication. If the student refuses or is otherwise playing games about it, then we document. At that point it is a behavioral issue and admin can deal with it.

Yes, this is what I am saying. I guess my post is tainted from many years of having the district PK thru 5th grade "Behavioral Unit" at my school." I've been accused many times of being responsible for student outbursts and behavior tantrums by parents because they claim I didn't make sure the student swallowed their medicine; kids who have been in and out of psych facilities and have been trained by the best of their peer patients.

I'll make every reasonable effort, in any reasonable method or form, to get a medicine down but I will refuse to do so if there is student refusal or attempts to fake taking the medicine or other games they play.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't even go there. I'm not running a behavioral facility. I'll hand the medicine to the student. If they want to play games about taking it, that is an issue to be addressed on a completely different level than a school health clinic. So if you never take on that responsibility you can never be accused of not making sure the medicine was taken.

Are you saying you don't check to be sure the med was taken?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yes, this is what I am saying. I guess my post is tainted from many years of having the district PK thru 5th grade "Behavioral Unit" at my school." I've been accused many times of being responsible for student outbursts and behavior tantrums by parents because they claim I didn't make sure the student swallowed their medicine; kids who have been in and out of psych facilities and have been trained by the best of their peer patients.

I'll make every reasonable effort, in any reasonable method or form, to get a medicine down but I will refuse to do so if there is student refusal or attempts to fake taking the medicine or other games they play.

Hmm...

So what do you do if there is refusal or faking or other games?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So what do you do if there is refusal or faking or other games?

Then it is a behavioral issue and turned over to admin and the parents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
Then it is a behavioral issue and turned over to admin and the parents.

Exactly this, I had this issue last year with a very emotionally and mentally disturbed student (She got expelled at the end) and she would not take her medications. She almost got me in trouble and told my old admin I didn't administer her medication when I did. I found the empty pill shell on the floor and I told my admin.

After that I told them I'm not responsible for her behavior and if she doesn't take her medication, it's not on me if she refuses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm getting different points of view and I completely understand where ya'll coming from. Now this is my plan, I will speak to admin and parents about it. If he continues to act like this then the mom can give the meds in morning before coming to school. How does that sound?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion