No extra insulin at school

Specialties School

Published

I have a diabetic student with a pump, but mom is refusing to bring in extra insulin and syringes because she doesn't want anyone injecting her daughter at school. I get it, but in the case of pump malfunction, what if mom can't respond? I don't want to get stuck in a bad situation. Anyone ever encounter this? Does Mom have the right to override me?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

How would you know if the pump was malfunctioning beside a rise in blood glucose? Does mom allow you to check blood sugars?

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Yes, we check blood sugars and use the pump to correct/bolus.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

How about a Plan B? Have mom agree to be available by phone to come get the child OR bring insulin and syringes should the pump malfunction? Explain your concerns to mom- but ultimately i see this as a non-issue.

My grandson has a pump, and that's all he has besides his glucometer at school.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I think it's odd that Mom doesn't want anyone injecting her daughter at school. You're a nurse!

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A high BG isn't really an emergency, unless an acidosis occurs, but that isn't even necessarily a forgone conclusion with a very high sugar. Doesn't sound prone to DKA or particularly brittle....I suspect that were mom to be called a couple of times for supplemental insulin injections (not really likely), she'd come around to leaving a vial for you at school.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Yes, mom has the right to override you. Don't fret over it. Call her if you need to but if you can't contact her it's unlikely one day at school with high BG will be an emergency. Just leave a voice mail, text the same number, send an email, and document. Keep smiling.

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Thanks everyone! I'm just starting this school nurse thing after decades in the ICU, so my mind jumps to worst case scenario. It's quite an adjustment and I'm learning a lot. 😊

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

Hang in there Volley! You will quickly learn which battles are worth fighting in the school setting. Happy Monday!

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I wouldn't worry to much - just try to reach out to the parent as best you can; I have a couple of kids with a pump and do not have extra insulin. Parents tell me they have a window of about 2 hours if pump malfunctions etc.

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Specializes in School nurse.

Honestly I would worry more about not having inhalers.

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