Sometimes, you get something right

Specialties School

Published

Yesterday I had a student visit me. Not a usual visitor, presenting with right upper abdominal pain, slight nausea, no appetite. Temp was normal, student told me pain was "stab-like" and started about 12 hours prior. No rebound pain, but increased pain with palpation. A red flag went up for me and called student's Mom to pick student up and make an doctor's appointment today and that I really thought the student needed to be seen today. Something just said appendix to me, despite the lack of rebound pain and low grade fever.

And I was right! Student having surgery this morning. Now, I know it isn't our job to diagnosis, but I am so happy I made this referral. Mom was as well and offered to buy me a drink - ha!

Specializes in Nicu, Currently School Nursing.

Awesome!

Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

Great job! I would have done the same thing!

And I know we are NOT supposed to diagnose, but really, we all know we do it, and have that 6th sense of what it is and 99% of the time we are right!

Good Job!!!!

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