Pills in Baggies...

MHDNURSE · May 22, 2017

I had a 5 year old Kindergarten student on Friday pull a purple pill out of her pocket and tell me "Mommy told me to take this at lunch. It's for my sneezing and itchy eyes". I called mom who right away said "I know I shouldn't have done that. Bad Mommy! Sorry, it won't happen again, but can you give it to her just this once"? NOPE!! Mom was annoyed.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 22, 2017

I had a 5 year old Kindergarten student on Friday pull a purple pill out of her pocket and tell me "Mommy told me to take this at lunch. It's for my sneezing and itchy eyes". I called mom who right away said "I know I shouldn't have done that. Bad Mommy! Sorry, it won't happen again, but can you give it to her just this once"? NOPE!! Mom was annoyed.

Okay, seriously for a sec. I *might* understand the logic of this with a high schooler (but not really). They can comprehend what the medication is and how to take it (if they choose to listen). But to have a 5 year old just stick a pill in their pocket?

Common sense, folks. I realize I'm asking to much...

That being said, pillfinder.com is great when admin will bring me the random pill they found dropped on the bathroom floor. I've identified and disposed of a few ADHD meds. No proof it was handled by a student it wasn't prescribed to, but heaven only knows.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · May 22, 2017

With the things like calamine lotion or hydrocortisone, I HATE when the kid brings it to me...Like c'mon. If you would've just sneaked it on without me knowing all would've been well. But no, now I have to take it away, call a parent, and see if someone can come put it on you.

I applaud the honesty of my kids, really. :yes:

kidzcare · May 22, 2017

Okay, seriously for a sec. I *might* understand the logic of this with a high schooler (but not really). They can comprehend what the medication is and how to take it (if they choose to listen). But to have a 5 year old just stick a pill in their pocket?

I'm certain the high schools are teeming with kids who bring in their daily medication to take at lunch. So much easier than going through the hassle of having to drop it off and get the paperwork completed.

denstar · May 22, 2017

I've had a parent (who was a doctor!) send her 10 year old with cold/cough medicine to take at lunch (and did not tell me or the teacher of course), and when the teacher noticed it and asked him, he told the teacher he is supposed to take it 4 times that day at school!!! 4!! Um, no, no no! So glad the teacher happened to see him with the medicine.

momto5RN · May 23, 2017

I hear you on this!!! But what drives me completely over the edge are the parents who do know about medication administration because they are also nurses. Some of those parents have done that to me this year!! And they are also the ones who think I can give motrin when I call to tell them their child has a fever. I have a mother who is constantly annoyed every time I tell her that this is a school, not a pharmacy, no stock meds. And yes, I still must follow doctor orders even though I'm not in a hospital setting. So glad school is almost done!!

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · May 23, 2017

I had a mom send some Adderall in an unlabeled prescription bottle, stuck in her first grader's backpack. When I called to remind her of the medication policy and informed her that it's unsafe to send a child to school with a controlled substance, she stated "Well that's why I wrapped it in a plastic Walmart bag."

Think of the money hospitals have been wasting on Pyxis machines, MedSelects and Diebolds! The most impervious protector of controlled substances has been in Walmarts across the nation for decades!

kidzcare · May 23, 2017

Think of the money hospitals have been wasting on Pyxis machines, MedSelects and Diebolds! The most impervious protector of controlled substances has been in Walmarts across the nation for decades!

Hahahahahaha