"I feel like I'm gonna puke"

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

These are my standard answers to this after determining no fever and they don't look green, pale or sweaty:

"And....?"

"What would you like me to do about that?"

"What are you looking for?"

"I can't send home every kid that says they feel like they are going to puke. There would be no one left in school."

I'm bored with these answers and looking to shake it up a bit.

What do you say when not-really-sick kids tell you they feel like they are going to puke?

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Specializes in ICU, HIV, Peds (last 30 Yrs<;o).

"Me too".

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Kid: I feel like I'm gonna puke!

Me: But you haven't.

Kid: But I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally feel like it!!!!

Me: *gives crackers and explanation of why they help nausea and waits* Ok, kid. It's been 10 minutes with no fever and no vomiting. I'll write you a pass back to class.

Kid: What if I don't feel good later?????

Me: I don't play the "what if" game. Let's see how the day goes with a positive attitude. Think to yourself "I WILL feel good!" *gives kid the boot*

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Me: I don't play the "what if" game. Let's see how the day goes with a positive attitude. Think to yourself "I WILL feel good!" *gives kid the boot*

ooh! i like it!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, Hospice, School.
These are my standard answers to this after determining no fever and they don't look green, pale or sweaty:

"And....?"

"What would you like me to do about that?"

"What are you looking for?"

"I can't send home every kid that says they feel like they are going to puke. There would be no one left in school."

I'm bored with these answers and looking to shake it up a bit.

What do you say when not-really-sick kids tell you they feel like they are going to puke?

Your responses cracked me up! You took all the words right out of my mouth! :roflmao:

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Specializes in School nursing.

"Well, vomit can happen. Meaning that *if* it happens, we'll deal with it. Until then, back to class you go."

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

You could go "Scrooge" on them and say, "Well get on with it and reduce the surplus school population".

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I usually give them a cup of water and if they don't puke it up in 5 minutes I send them right back. I get too many kids with this complaint.

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"Well, vomit can happen. Meaning that *if* it happens, we'll deal with it. Until then, back to class you go."

Yes - this is my answer :)

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

I need to remember these!! This is my #1 complaint! And where teachers might keep back kids who c/o headache/stomachache and try the bathroom/water routine, as soon as they say "puke" its an automatic trip to the nurse!

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You could go "Scrooge" on them and say, "Well get on with it and reduce the surplus school population".

I'm using this on the next one that comes in!!! I doubt they get the reference but I just want to say it!!! LOVE IT

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Most kids that are really going to puke do not have time to tell anyone that they feel like that!!! Love the ones that come in with their arms wrapped around their teachers trash can. The more dramatically they come in , the less likely that will vomitus will actually occur....

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