Phantom boo boos

[Buggus]

Hey everyone! How do you handle phantom boo boos? You know, the ones where the student comes with some random pain that just started right now while sitting in class/walking down the hall/getting ready to do something they hate (math or PE, anyone?)...it's usually something like "I was just sitting in class and then it hurt right here" and the student points to a specific spot like this spot on their elbow, or forearm, or thigh, etc. No injury at all. Just a random pain. I get so many of these and I will not give ice for them because there was no injury and I feel like that will just encourage the behavior to continue any time the student wants to get out of class or wants a bag of ice just for fun. I've started looking at the kids like *seriously...* and telling them to walk it off . I honestly just don't know what to do about it or if I'm handling it the wrong way. It's the not the same kids doing it, btw. I'd call mom if that happened multiple times with the same kid.

[GmaPearl BSN RN]

If "the pain" comes on suddenly, I reassure them it will most likely leave just as suddenly as soon as they get back to class and down to business.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

if the pain has no reason behind it and no mark to go along with it or anything else along with it, i assure them that aches, pains and twinges are part of life and they are only just beginning with them and send them back to class.

[tining, BSN, RN]

Suddenly came on - you need to come back in 1 hour IF it still hurts. Sometimes I try to convince them it is growing pains.

[abc123RN]

Just had one of those phantom pains STOMP out of my office!! "My ankle hurts REALLLLLLY BAAAADDDDD!" Well don't stomp your feet at me!!!

[DEgalRN]

I kinda stare at them in a judgmental way. Do a quick (but good!) evaluation. Then I explain that they're not dying, I'm not a walk-in clinic, and they need to seek a medical evaluation from an MD or NP if the pain continues, but that I don't think it will. I have high schoolers though. I like to imagine that I would be nicer to a little kid who doesn't have better coping skills for a class they don't like yet!

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

Hey everyone! How do you handle phantom boo boos? You know, the ones where the student comes with some random pain that just started right now while sitting in class/walking down the hall/getting ready to do something they hate (math or PE, anyone?)...it's usually something like "I was just sitting in class and then it hurt right here" and the student points to a specific spot like this spot on their elbow, or forearm, or thigh, etc. No injury at all. Just a random pain. I get so many of these and I will not give ice for them because there was no injury and I feel like that will just encourage the behavior to continue any time the student wants to get out of class or wants a bag of ice just for fun. I've started looking at the kids like *seriously...* and telling them to walk it off . I honestly just don't know what to do about it or if I'm handling it the wrong way. It's the not the same kids doing it, btw. I'd call mom if that happened multiple times with the same kid.

Have them do the whip and nay nay. All good? Then see you later.

[txbootsy]

I let them rest 5 mins then back to class.

[txbootsy]

Suddenly came on - you need to come back in 1 hour IF it still hurts. Sometimes I try to convince them it is growing pains.

yep I always say it's growing pains

[BeckyESRN]

I offer to amputate It usually hurts less after I say "We can just remove it...";)

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

I let them rest for a few minutes and then say..."Let me know when you're ready to go back". I follow OldDude's leading and use the "Therapeudic (sp) Bordom" theory ! This works every time. It let's the kids use their own judgement on when to return back to class and they usually don't abuse that.

[djh123]

Well, and stomping feet could cause shin splints. :^)