Published Nov 8, 2017
JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN
3,035 Posts
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
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.
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
Good job, Nurse!
OldDude
1 Article; 4,787 Posts
BAM!! Another kid snatched from the jaws of death! School nurse comes through again! Great intervention Jen.
GdBSN, RN
659 Posts
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.
Guest
0 Posts
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
4,431 Posts
Glad you listened to your spidey sense!
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
2 Articles; 4,678 Posts
Well done!!
cooties_are_real
326 Posts
Great Job!!!
WineRN
1,109 Posts
Awesome job!!
Keepstanding, ASN, RN
1,600 Posts
Well Done my Friend !You make us all very proud !