Please take care of your little one rant

I sent a kindergartner home yesterday who's lungs sounded like bagpipes with how much she was wheezing. It took 3 hours for someone to actually answer the phone and get her.

Today she comes into my office with her uncle's inhaler. When I asked if they went to the doctor, she said, "no mom said to just use this whenever I cough". Thankfully she had no idea how to use it and that's why she brought it to me. Lungs still sound awful, cough is still awful.

I call mom again who gets mad at ME for refusing to give her daughter the inhaler and kept repeating "She needs it to breathe, what don't you understand about that?!".

Finally I explained that I have a standing order for a neb that I can use if her cough continues, and mom mentions how they did a breathing treatment this morning. When I asked her if the student has seen the doctor recently, mom tell me no, it is actually for her but figured little one needed it too... :banghead:

I started to say that her daughter really needs to see a doctor and get her own medication because she may have asthma and need more intense treatment but then she hung up on me and turned off her phone.

And as an aside, they aren't avoiding the doctor for financial reasons. It's just laziness and that is my biggest weakness. I have a really hard time tolerating laziness.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · May 17, 2017

In my state that meets the definition of medical neglect and would require us to file a report with DCF.

SassyTachyRN · May 17, 2017

In those instances I usually refer to DCS for medical neglect... just document, document, document. Don't let them use your emergency albuterol as a cushion. I would let them know if you have to use your emergency stock then you call 911 next and transport.

WineRN · May 17, 2017

I'm not sure if she meets my state's DCS guidelines for medical neglect, but I am going to talk the situation over with my supervisor to get her guidance.

And I am going to use your 911 and transport line Tachy next year because I have a few students who rely on my stock (but those students don't have access to care)

SchoolNurseTXstyle · May 17, 2017

1. Call 911 - let mom get that bill. Prevent that baby from going into respiratory distress, no telling how long she has been compensating......

2. Call CPS

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 17, 2017

I sent a kindergartner home yesterday who's lungs sounded like bagpipes with how much she was wheezing.
.

Best description of adventitious breath sounds EVER.

A parent hanging up on me is a sign I need to elevate this to an administrator. Sometimes the student's AP (to see if they've had similar experiences) and sometimes the AP who is tasked with overseeing me on campus. Very rarely, to my nursing supervisor. The parent is not following the rules. OK, it's documented.

Sorry this happened to you. 10 more days!!!

OyWithThePoodles, RN · May 17, 2017

Because we all know adult albuterol doses are the same as kids. :banghead:

Wow. Just...wow.

scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN · May 17, 2017

OMG, yes, this happens all the time and drives me crazy! Kids coming in with parents or others inhalers, yes, because the parent is qualified to diagnose and prescribe someone else's inhaler!! I always call them out on it, and tell them how dangerous it is, but usually I am told the same thing "mid you business".....YES this is my business when YOUR child cannot breath at MY school!

{{{BIG WALL...HEAD BANG}}}

**Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN** · May 17, 2017

Ah yes, this happened to me with one child who had asthma. Parents refused to let him bring inhaler to school. He got exercise-induced breathing difficulties. We don't have standing orders for nebs! Wow, how amazingly different some school districts are . . . :nurse:

I called 911 twice for this kid. We worked and worked with the parents to no avail and yes, called CPS.

I've been gone for 1 year 7 months from that job but I still work at our local hospital. I saw this kid in our acute ward a few weeks ago. His parents are crazy.

KKEGS, MSN, RN · May 17, 2017

I'd be filing a report for medical neglect. She may not meet the requirements for an investigation but you will have done your part as a mandated reporter. Poor kid.

WineRN · May 17, 2017

I'd be filing a report for medical neglect. She may not meet the requirements for an investigation but you will have done your part as a mandated reporter. Poor kid.

This is what I just finished doing. The person was kinda snippy with me (I'm sure working at those phone centers is awful) but it is done