Testing Snacks

[RNCourt]

My school hands out snack to all the students who undergo a standardized test. Testing usually goes from 8:30am-11:30am for the whole school (grades 6-12). I think it's a good idea that they have something to sustain themselves but can I just say, it is a huge pain in the behind for school nurses to go through and figure out all the allergies and make appropriate substitutions. Not to mention, my school chose poptarts and fruit juice as the snack. Not exactly the best brain food if you ask me.

Just wondering if any of your schools do the same. If so, how do you handle food allergies, diabetics, etc during testing?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

.....OK, how do you know ?

Here's a link. The first FAQ explains why HIPAA does not apply to elementary & secondary school records

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/coveredentities/hipaaferpajointguide.pdf

[Massmagic]

I review the allergy list with the individual teacher at the beginning of the year. Just this year, nurses in the district stopped passing out the list of children with allergies due to Mass DPH recommendation. I guess a school nurse got sued because this "medical concerns" list was left on a teacher's desk and some parents picked it up and read it. A parent sued. So, the recommendation from DPH is to go individually to each teacher and review the medical concerns with them.

About the snacks.....the teachers provide snacks for students during testing days and the cafeteria provide fresh fruits and vegetables. The teachers know who has a food allergy and consult with parents about snacks prior to testing days. I pretty much stay out of the teacher- parent communication during this time. I have only 1 student who is diabetic and she often comes to me to check if she can have this or that snack. I always contact the mother on this. I have 3^rd and 4^th graders and they are at a great age. They know what they can and cannot eat. I used to have PreK - 2^nd graders and this was somewhat tricky. I would get very paranoid and go around and remind the teachers about their students with food allergies.

[AdobeRN]

Elementary school here - yes, we provide a muffin and orange juice, apple juice or water if student prefers on major testing days first thing in the morning. Ordered thru our cafeteria service. Teachers will notify any parents of students with allergies so the parents can provide an alternative snack.

[OldDude]

Here's a link. The first FAQ explains why HIPAA does not apply to elementary & secondary school records

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/coveredentities/hipaaferpajointguide.pdf

Thanks for the link, very interesting information. I'm going to start a new topic about this subject. It might be helpful for next school year.

[Massmagic]

Thank you for the links. Great information. I am passing it along to the other nurses in my district.

[AussiePupOwner]

Our school pretty much sticks with bottled water, pretzels, and mints. My diabetics are told to stay away from the testing snacks and stick with their scheduled snacks. The first day of testing, one of my diabetics was given several mints and tested through recess, so her BG was 327! She learned her lesson and listened to me the next day!

[fetch, BSN, RN]

Shortly after I read this on Friday, we got a very strongly worded email reminding everyone NO SNACKS FOR TESTING! I guess there's been some issues in the past!