Nosebleed, WWYD?

Published

I had a student (14 years old) just leave my office. He got on the bus with a nosebleed and was waiting in my office when I arrived with administration saying he was feeling lightheaded. VS all stable (130/78, HR 85, resp 12, O2 98%) but says he feels dizzy and tired. I had him lie down for 20 minutes and he drank 1/2 the water I gave him.

I strongly feel that he is exaggerating his symptoms. I called home (with him in earshot) to let parents know and cover my bases. So he heard me let them know that all VS are good to go, ect, ect.

How would you handle this situation? And if he returned in an hour?

:blink:

Don't think I don't have them.

Think it's time to put in a new order!

Think it's time to put in a new order!

Shhhhh...

I found old ammonia inhalants in the drawer when I got this job.

They do work! LOL! Back in the dark ages we used them in OB all the time.

A sternal rub when a child is faking "passing out" works like a charm too. :cheeky: "OH look, you're ok!"

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Teenage boys CAN be squeamish as well. Sometimes, they are worse than girls.

SOMETIMES?

I just had a kid in my office for 20 minutes who could not swallow a pill his mom brought up. The drama!

I work in peds ICU. Can confirm, teen boys are generally wimpier than girls about health stuff whether its taking a pill, a nosebleed, or recovering from surgery.

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

What would I have done?

If he came back, slap a Rhino Rocket up there and be done with it.

[/tongue-in-cheek]

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I found old ammonia inhalants in the drawer when I got this job.

They do work! LOL! Back in the dark ages we used them in OB all the time.

A sternal rub when a child is faking "passing out" works like a charm too. :cheeky: "OH look, you're ok!"

One of my favorites is to hold their limp lifeless arm above their face and drop it. It's entertaining to watch how the arm miraculously avoids their face as it "falls" to the floor.

I know a trick that will cure ANY ailment. Tell them their parents are on on their way to pick them up!! Biggest medical discovery EVER!! Then when they ask to go get their backpack, tell them " oh my bad, I meant time to go back to class."

I know a trick that will cure ANY ailment. Tell them their parents are on on their way to pick them up!! Biggest medical discovery EVER!! Then when they ask to go get their backpack, tell them " oh my bad, I meant time to go back to class."

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My favorite for fake fainting is to flick water in their face and see if they flinch.

I catch a lot of "seizures" (hx of benzo addictions) that way.

Hahahaha! You guys are awesome! He had the administrators and secretary pretty worried since he got to the school before I started. Status dramaticus for sure!

I know a trick that will cure ANY ailment. Tell them their parents are on on their way to pick them up!! Biggest medical discovery EVER!! Then when they ask to go get their backpack, tell them " oh my bad, I meant time to go back to class."

Oh, yes. I love the students who are absolutely on their death bed until they hear mom is coming. Then they are chatty and full of energy.

I remember one girl a couple years ago who was nonstop coughing. I called home, mom on the way. 15 minutes later we were still waiting and I said to her "Your cough seems to have gone away completely... I'm impressed with your recovery" She had a pretty serious comeback for the next few minutes.

Specializes in School Nurse.

I had a little girl come in right after school started for the day. She had a stomach ache and tears streaming down her face. I let her lie down and rest to see if that helped. Nope, extreme pain and moaning. Tried to call Mom, the numbers in the computer didn't work. I went to tell her that I am sorry but she will have to go back to class, that I was unable to contact her Mom. She popped up with a smile on her face and said "oh, ok, thank you for trying," and off she went to class. I guess it was too early in the morning for my faker-itis sensor to have been working.

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