Vomit Emergency

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN]

vomit emergency

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I have a kid who fakes vomiting all the time. It's usually conveniently when his parents are out of town and his adult brother is in charge. He once said "I took a photo of it" then puts his phone (with a photo of vomit in a toilet) in front of my face. I said "You can't have your phone out in school," and made him stay after he kept water and crackers down.

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

Yesterday, I got a phone call from a frantic parent (frantic, but over an hour into the day) "someone threw up in the house this morning" All kids in the household (two families) denied being "the one" She expected me to figure it out and act.

Meh. If someone complains of a tummyache or vomits, we'll know. Your bathroom and fibbing kid is not my emergency.

So the mother wanted you to use your psychic powers to figure out who threw up in her house? At home...before school started...because one of the kids wouldn't have claimed it so they could stay home.... (nods head slowly with doubtful look on my face)

[CampyCamp, RN]

it's on par. It's a weird family.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I get lots of "So and so just vomited in the bathroom!" I usually just say, "Okay, they know where to find me when they're done." :)

I'd probably get myself in trouble by replying with something sarcastic like, "Great! You taught them well! At least this keeps the cleanup easy!"....

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

I'd probably get myself in trouble by replying with something sarcastic like, "Great! You taught them well! At least this keeps the cleanup easy!"....

Haha, I'm in high school so most of the time it's students that come to me saying it. So I do say stuff like "Score! They hit the bullseye."

[T-ROD, LPN]

Our district policy is that a grown up has to witness said vomiting to be a reason to go home. Everyone loves that. Haha. If no one has witnessed I always PO challenge. If no fever and they hold water down (and don't look pale and sick) they go back to class. Once or twice it's bitten me in the butt and they come back throwing up later but most of the time not.

We have this here as well. Something else I have learned. If you offer them water to wash out their mouth and they refuse it. They probably did not vomit!! Sorry!!!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I have a kid I call my "frequent vomiter." This kid throws up at everything. Usually a one and done, hopping around smiling when its done. Mom is a nurse and at kid's last 504 meeting (not related to vomiting) she was like "I don't know how he just seems to vomit on command. I was hoping he'd grow out of it!" She loves that I get it. He's gone to doctor and nothing ever found, suspected anxiety related. At least one a month I also get the gym teacher calling him to report they have a vomiting kids they are sending my way from gym and 9/10 it has been my frequent vomiter.

My sub, who is a friend of mine, however, is not used to him and his puking on command. I forgot to leave her a written note, which I usually, do and of course she sees him when I am out. And calls home to send him home and get a follow-up due to frequent GI symptoms report. I talked to mom the next day I was back and apologized; thankfully mom was like "it's okay, you know his patterns, she was new and he is convincing."

Vomit happens. Just let it happen and deal with clean up after.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

The best is when they come in and think they're going to impress you - "I feel like I'm gonna throw up!" I push the trash can towards them and say "Go ahead, you'll feel better." Sometimes that earns me a look as if I have two heads.

My experience is (usually), pukers will just puke, talkers will talk about puking.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

thankfully mom was like "it's okay, you know his patterns, she was new and he is convincing."

.

I love this mom. I had the uncomfortable conversation with a parent whose kid vomited Monday (sent home) and now has diarrhea.

Mom: There's nothing wrong with her, and we can't take time off from work.

Me: It's school policy.

Mom: Well, you better clean that room,

Me: Kids get sick at school, at home, from the mall, from church...it just happens. Since she was ill twice this week she may need to go to the doctor. Also the teachers are not sick....

She hung up on me.

[prmenrs, RN]

Yesterday, I got a phone call from a frantic parent (frantic, but over an hour into the day) "someone threw up in the house this morning" All kids in the household (two families) denied being "the one" She expected me to figure it out and act.

Meh. If someone complains of a tummyache or vomits, we'll know. Your bathroom and fibbing kid is not my emergency.

Maybe it was the cat/dog?

[prmenrs, RN]

Sort of off topic. A few years ago, I got floated to peds (from NICU). They had mercy on me and gave me 2 babies and a 5 y/o w/renal failure. The 5 y/o was on peritoneal dialysis--their nurse came up, bathed him, and started the dialysis. Yea! Came time to give his numerous meds. Figured those out, he took them, and as soon as I turned my back, he threw them all up. I went out to the charge nurse to find out how to get a new set of meds, and what all else I needed to do. Nurse says, "He did WHAT???" Walked in the room and gave kid a scolding I've never heard the likes of before, or after. Stood there w/my mouth open. Then she said, I'm ordering new meds, and I want to to take them, and NOT throw them up, OK??" Child just nods. I did, too. Got a new set, he took them and kept them down!

Apparently, that was his standard stunt for a new nurse. Go figure.

[Amethya]

I basically just watch them, and if they are still vomiting after being sent to me, I call their parents to pick them up. Not vomiting? They are okay, go back to class, I'll call their parents.