"I feel like I'm gonna puke"

Specialties School

Published

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?

Specializes in School nursing.
My favorite thing is when a kid will walk up to me and be within inches of my face and tell me "I THINK I GOTTA THROW UP

.

Please take a step back.

I have a personal space line in my office just for this. I ask them to take two steps back as they were not invited into my personal space :).

Come back when you vomit AND someone actually witnesses it, then we can talk about you going home. (This is probably why I'm not a school nurse!)

Some children experience somatic symptoms in response to other social issues they are facing in life. Stress at home in the family, abuse, school bullying, etc. Perhaps screen for these?

Some children experience somatic symptoms in response to other social issues they are facing in life. Stress at home in the family, abuse, school bullying, etc. Perhaps screen for these?

Of course!

Ok, so what/when was their last meal? is the stomach hurting? Give them crackers and water and wait for it, if no emesis in 10 minutes, send back to class

Epic fail on my part last week.

Frequent flyer comes in after running around at recess.."Stomach ache." No fever. He used BR and rested on the cot for 30 minutes.

I send him back to class where he proceeds to just BARF right where he stands. (Really?) We had already had the chat about "find a trash can if you feel sick."

This can really be a tough one.

Morning Snowy. *crabby and in search of coffee*

Morning, Far...(large gulp of coffee...)

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

My wife was in the office yesterday (she subs for me on occasion, and much more strict at getting kids back to class) when I got a ff with this complaint. Gave him 16 oz. of water to drink (thanks allnurses) and she was perplexed. Sent kid back to class and explained where and why. She thought you all are ingenious. Thanks again for all the wonderful info on here.

Epic fail on my part last week.

Frequent flyer comes in after running around at recess.."Stomach ache." No fever. He used BR and rested on the cot for 30 minutes.

I send him back to class where he proceeds to just BARF right where he stands. (Really?) We had already had the chat about "find a trash can if you feel sick."

This can really be a tough one.

This is not a fail! You can't predict what will happen!

My wife was in the office yesterday (she subs for me on occasion, and much more strict at getting kids back to class) when I got a ff with this complaint. Gave him 16 oz. of water to drink (thanks allnurses) and she was perplexed. Sent kid back to class and explained where and why. She thought you all are ingenious. Thanks again for all the wonderful info on here.

Awwww, make her post here! We want MrsNurse(x2)!!!

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
Awwww, make her post here! We want MrsNurse(x2)!!!

She hates forums of all kinds. I find them highly informative and enjoyable.

+ Add a Comment