Temperatures

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2014

I would tell mom whatever your policy is for a fever (mine is anything greater than 100F) and if she wants us to consider a lower temp as a fever for her child due to whatever medical reason we need a documented from the child's physician stating that child's specific parameters for what should be considered normal and a fever and what to do, such as call mom, if the child's temp is in the "fever" range.

Gems0607 · Feb 5, 2014

Our policy is 100.5 and I normally give courtesy calls at 99.8. When I came aboard there was documentation from the other nurse in regards to call the mom. However, I questioned them about having a doctors note and there isn't one. So we are just going by what mom says the physicians say because it 'runs in their family'. I did ask if there was a specific name for it and never received an answer. Go figure, huh?

Jolie, BSN · Feb 5, 2014

An individual with a compromised immune system may not be able to mount a febrile response to illness, but I suspect that if this student had an immune disorder, you would probably already know that.

My guess is that Mom read an article somewhere stating that a skin surface temperature or tympanic temperature is probably a degree or two lower than a rectal temp. and is making up her own rules. I wouldn't bother with asking for a pediatrician's note. I have a feeling the doctor's office staff would have a good laugh over that. How about Mom just keeps the kid home if she believes he is sick?

Gems0607 · Feb 5, 2014

Exactly Jolie. We have children that have proper documentation for an immune disorder so I was taking it pretty serious until there was nothing from the doctor. I have the same feeling about the doctor's office and the mom's research. Thanks for listening and responding just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one scratching my head on this.

raidermom · Feb 6, 2014

I will speak for myself, I have a low normal body temperature of 96.7 so when mine reaches 99 and above I feel awful. I also have an auto immune condition that I have a normal low WBC. I would explain to the mom and ask for documentation. We are all individuals and react differently to many things.

Gems0607 · Feb 6, 2014

Raidermom thanks for your response. That's exactly what I asked when I spoke with mom but she never mentioned anything about it. If it is serious then documentation is further needed IMO. However, we'll just continue to approach it the way its been in the past.

Nurse ABC · Feb 7, 2014

Have you checked her temp when she's not complaining about being sick? Just curious what baseline is. Is she a frequent flyer? If they never complain then I'd just follow mom's request because chances are they feel bad if they complain but if they're in there every couple weeks then I'd call mom every time temp 98 or above and state child complaining, temp is ..., pick them up if you want but not gonna be excused unless dr note provided or temp as high as required per school policy to be excluded. That way, you're trying to follow mom's directions but not enabling the child to miss all the time. That's what I'd do if mom won't provide dr's order for temp exclusion which, unless student has immune problem, dr is not going to do!

Gems0607 · Feb 7, 2014

No hardly ever sick or feverish. Therefore its not too big of a deal.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2014

All,
Is there a documented disorder/disease where a person's temperature is clinically greater than the thermometer reading? I'm drawing a blank as to what it could be. I have a mother who wants a courtesy call or pick up call for her child if the temp is in the 98s/99s because if its 98 then its 99 and if its 99 its 100. She stated that all her family is this way but there is no actual diagnosis on file. Shed some light for me guys.
TIA

Mom is crazy.

allnurses Guide · Feb 13, 2014

An individual with a compromised immune system may not be able to mount a febrile response to illness, but I suspect that if this student had an immune disorder, you would probably already know that.
My guess is that Mom read an article somewhere stating that a skin surface temperature or tympanic temperature is probably a degree or two lower than a rectal temp. and is making up her own rules. I wouldn't bother with asking for a pediatrician's note. I have a feeling the doctor's office staff would have a good laugh over that. How about Mom just keeps the kid home if she believes he is sick?

I agree. If mom wants it different, then get me a doctor's order. ;-)