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!
ruby_jane, BSN, RN 3,142 Posts Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing. Has 14 years experience. Nov 8, 2017 YAY you!! Both nurses in my home missed my kid's latent appi until she was projectile vomiting so I will say...lower RQ pain and rebound tenderness may be a later sign.
allnurses Guide OldDude 1 Article; 4,787 Posts Specializes in Pediatrics Retired. Nov 8, 2017 BAM!! Another kid snatched from the jaws of death! School nurse comes through again! Great intervention Jen.
GdBSN, RN 650 Posts Specializes in School Nurse. Has 10 years experience. Nov 8, 2017 BAM!! Another kid snatched from the jaws of death! School nurse comes through again! Great intervention Jen.Exactly what I was thinking in my best OD voice.Great catch, student was lucky to have you there. This happened to me a couple of years ago, it just gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling, knowing your nursing skills help prevent, what could have been, a serious situation with no typical early warning signs.
Guests Guest 0 Posts Nov 8, 2017 Well done! And thank goodness the parents actually listened to you and took the child to be seen. Oftentimes, we recommend they have the child seen and they don;t.
Flare, ASN, BSN 5 Articles; 4,431 Posts Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma. Nov 8, 2017 Glad you listened to your spidey sense!
JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN 3,034 Posts Specializes in School nursing. Nov 8, 2017 Well done! And thank goodness the parents actually listened to you and took the child to be seen. Oftentimes, we recommend they have the child seen and they don;t.Truth! But this is a delightful and appreciative parent, thankfully. Mom had called me back prior to picking up student that student's doctor was squeezing student in for an appointment that afternoon.
NutmeggeRN, BSN 8 Articles; 4,584 Posts Specializes in kids. Has 40 years experience. Nov 8, 2017 Well done!!
Keepstanding, ASN, RN 1,600 Posts Specializes in School Nursing. Has 10 years experience. Nov 9, 2017 Well Done my Friend !You make us all very proud !
