Quick Questions about SN

[Amethya]

1) What do you do for relief on allergies? Lots of pollen here in Texas, and all I can do for relief is wet paper towels for red eyes and drinking water for nasal congestion. Any other suggestions that a MA can do?

2) What do you do about wettings? I run out of underwear and I'm not sure where I can get some plain white underwear for little kids? (Last MA bought them but I don't know where she got them cheap) Do you let them dry or go without underwear?

Just these questions! Thanks for the advice!

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

I'm on a 9th grade campus, and here's what I do:

For allergies, I tell students to drink lots of water, blow their nose instead of sniffing, and discuss taking allergy meds with parents. If they complain of itchy eyes, I will put saline drops in their eyes.

We get underwear donated from our Communities in Schools liaison; I will not use my meager clinic budget to buy it.

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

We have a standing order for Visine; it's extra nice because it's a good way to rule out conjunctivitis sx. But I always call parents to make sure they aren't on anything contraindicating at home.

Underwear- the office has a small building petty cash budget. I do it through there, and once I'm out, I'm out. I call parents and request someone bring it down. Kinders and 1st graders are encouraged to keep a spare outfit in backpack/cubby if possible. That's part of the teacher's "supply request" in summer.

[WineRN]

1. I have a pencil case that I put thicker tissues soaked with Saline in my fridge and pass those out to kids during allergy season. I make them wash their hands and faces first. I also usually send a reminder email to teachers when it gets really bad for students to wash their hands after recess.

2. Our kinders and first graders are told to bring extra clothes. I asked my PTO for clothing and new underwear and they really came through for me :)

[AdobeRN]

1. we have standing orders for plain ole saline eye drops. I will have the students wash face & hands to the elbows, apply cool saline drops if student will allow it and give an ice pack or cool paper towel. I will call parents if it persist during the day.

2. We request kinder and other students that have frequent accidents to have a change of clothing in their backpack. I do not purchase underwear nor do I use my budget money to buy it; some years I have been lucky enough where PTA has purchased some or a parent of a frequent accident kid has kindly purchased some for me. If I have a student that does not have a change of clothing - I call parents. We are lucky to be in an area that for the most part there is usually an adult at home during the day to run change of clothing to school. Yes - I have had a few go "commando" with parent knowledge if nobody was able to bring a change of clothing.

[Amethya]

I'm not sure about the Saline things, but I'll ask on that idea!

I think I'll ask parents and PTO for them next year, but this year, I tend to call parents and ask them to bring them. The frequent wetters, parents pack clothes for them.

[OldDude]

You are right about the pollen now...every morning my white truck is yellow until I rinse all the pollen off it. I feel for the allergy sufferers.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i just have my allergy sufferers drink, rinse, repeat.

As far as the wetting accidents - yes, the littles are requested to keep clothes on hand, but that doesn't always mean that they have them. I bring my daughters outgrows into my "undies" box and will mention to teachers and certain parents that i will happily take outgrown underwear (now of both gender as my kiddo is getting too big for the kinders ) as well as any outgrown sweats, mesh/ basketball type shorts, leggings, etc. T- shirts and long sleeve t's as well, but then i get a lot. No biggie. I just go through it and donate what i can't use / don't want. We always laugh that if you took my underwear request out of context it would sound really really strange.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

1. I have a pencil case that I put thicker tissues soaked with Saline in my fridge and pass those out to kids during allergy season. I make them wash their hands and faces first.

This is genius!!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I work with older kids - for allergies I have saline drops for super itchy eyes, but otherwise push hydration and hand hygiene, as well as let student rinse their face and wash their hands.

Kids ask all. the. time. is I carry allergy meds. I have benadryl, but it is for allergic reaction only.

[OldDude]

...I don't do potty accidents. I send out a notice in the first day packets requesting extra clothing for the kids to keep at school in case of potty accidents, food spills, bloody noses, recess mud, etc. If the kids don't have extra clothing or can't change themselves, I call parents to come to school and do it.

[SchoolNurseTXstyle]

I have them rinse their face with cool water, saline eye wash, cool compress for eyes, hydration AND wash those hands really good to prevent pollen being rubbed into the eyes.