Preventive Care

[Purple036, LVN]

Do you call parents as a preventative measure so the student will not become worse and advise to seek medical treatment? Such as a student with wheezing when auscultating or persist cough and red throat that hurts. Thanks for the input. I appreciate you all.

* If a asthmatic student I do administer their inhaler or nebulizer but for those who are not diagnosed with asthma (or so the parent did not put on the health form).

[Militarywife]

I do, I especially if I hear the wheezing. I wouldn't tell them they need to go to the ER, but suggest to keep an eye on it and if it gets worse to make a PCP appt. or utilize the urgent care clinic.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

Absolutely! Parents have always been appreciative of any heads up I've given them. I'll tell them that, when in doubt, they can call their pediatrician and see if they think it's necessary to come in soon or if it can wait until the next scheduled check-up.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

17 hours ago, Purple036 said:

* If a asthmatic student I do administer their inhaler or nebulizer but for those who are not diagnosed with asthma (or so the parent did not put on the health form).

You cannot give meds when you don't have a med and you don't have an order. The amount of care and attention to "heads up-ping" parents depends for me on the age and condition. Is it a 10th grader who can tell their own parent? Is it a kid who's come in three days this week? Does the student stay later after school (theoretically giving themselves a chance to worsen without a nurse on campus)? You can only do what you can do, and you may have to prioritize.

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

I usually call for any abnormal findings on my assessments. I always stick to the, "Well, I can't say for sure what it is, and I don't show a history of 'x' for your student, but I would definitely see the doc if it continues or they continue to complain about it." When I say that, a lot of my parents either thank me and say they will take them to the doc later, and others will just come get them at that time.

[jess11RN]

All of the time ?

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

Something that doesn't have any "send home" factors but I think could potentially be catchy I will call and give a heads up. Wheezing I would definitely call. Small things like an earache but no redness I might send a heads up email in case it's at the very beginning stages.