What do you do with your "Stomachache" kids?

Specialties School

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

Just curious. I HATE that complaint with a passion and of course, it is the most frequent one. My kids are all K or 1 so usually not trying to get out of class. I always take a temp, ask them when they last had a BM and then send them to the bathroom, regardless of their answer. They always return 3 minutes later saying "it didn't help". I palpate the abdomen, make them jump up and down and hop, sometimes auscultate the abdomen...I don't have saltines here, don;t have tums or pepto here...I actually love when they vomit b/c then I get to just send them home :laugh:

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I usually have them get a drink and use the rest room. I send them back with a "please come back if start throwing up". Also, I've given each class a "yucky bucket" and my K-1 teachers are awesome about having the kid just sit with the bucket in class for a while, then come to me if the complaint doesn't go away.

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

Stomachaches get a temp check, "did you eat breakfast/lunch?", drink a big glass of water, use my bathroom, rest x 10 min. Some get saltines, grahams, or a granola bar if I think they may be hungry. After all that, I usually send them back to class if nothings changed.

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Stomachaches get a temp check, "did you eat breakfast/lunch?", drink a big glass of water, use my bathroom, rest x 10 min. Some get saltines, grahams, or a granola bar if I think they may be hungry. After all that, I usually send them back to class if nothings changed.

This.

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Ask if their throat hurts and have a look at that for possible strep. Had a vicious strep outbreak at summer camp one year and lots of kids presented with tummy aches due to drainage í ½í¸Š

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.
I usually have them get a drink and use the rest room. I send them back with a "please come back if start throwing up". Also, I've given each class a "yucky bucket" and my K-1 teachers are awesome about having the kid just sit with the bucket in class for a while, then come to me if the complaint doesn't go away.

Yuckybucket:roflmao:

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Specializes in Certified School Nurse.

I love the idea of providing "Yucky Buckets!"

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I love the idea of providing "Yucky Buckets!"

This was our head custodian's idea and it's brilliant! I picked up sand buckets at the end of summer for 90% off. This year I just grabbed a stack of buckets from the dollar store.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I use gallon milk jugs cut out into buckets. Just had one that I sent back to class with a bucket who miraculously cured.

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
I use gallon milk jugs cut out into buckets. Just had one that I sent back to class with a bucket who miraculously cured.

Nice! Then they have a handle. I love recycling.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

If the student fails in the bathroom I usually auscultate and palpate. No changes in facial expression = "This is not a go to the doctor or hospital stomach ache, just an annoying one." I also ask what they did at recess - running and playing = too bad sport. BTW - Pepto has some aspirin in it.

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Specializes in School nursing.
If the student fails in the bathroom I usually auscultate and palpate. No changes in facial expression = "This is not a go to the doctor or hospital stomach ache, just an annoying one." I also ask what they did at recess - running and playing = too bad sport. BTW - Pepto has some aspirin in it.

Yep. Why I don't stock it. I actually buy and stock peppermints - the old fashioned ones with peppermint oil in it. Helps a lot of upset stomachs!

But I also work with the older kids; 10 minutes rest is long in my office and not usual, typically ~5 minutes of observation is needed to see if my radar is pinged and to observe behavior. If the student is animated, talkative, etc., and will talk offered water, saltines, peppermint without batting an eye, back they go.

But..."stomach hurts" is often the code for many of my students for "can I please use your private restroom to poop?" or "I have menstrual cramps/I need feminine supplies" for some of the ladies. With the ladies, I often ask if it is a "female specific stomachache" as many times I have another student they may know in my busy office.

I will do palpation and/or auscultation after bathroom is unsuccessful, when presentation warrants it.

I also tell students to humor me and use the restroom. And many are shocked when they discover a good bowel movement was indeed what needed to happen despite feeling like "I don't need to go." It's a miracle!

Though I do wonder how puke buckets would fly in the middle school and high school.... :whistling:

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