Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

What would you have done?

I had a 16 y/o girl present with pale skin, headache, nausea, dilated pupils, sitting b/p 104/70, pulse ox showed mildly tachy (104). Laid her down on the floor of an empty office (I don't have a health room or office.) put her feet up and started pushing fluids. It was right after lunch & she said she had eaten. She said this had happened twice before but that she'd never seen a doctor. I gave her some graham crackers to eat & started calling parents. I told dad I was very close to calling an ambulance.

She improved but would still get sick when sitting up. I told dad when he got there that I was concerned she would pass out if she had to stand or sit up & would feel better if we sent her by ambulance. Dad wasn't too concerned & said she might just be dehydrated. Her color somewhat improved & pupils. I took her out by wheelchair.

I spoke with mom about 4 hours later & she tells me her daughter has hypoglycemia--we have no record of this at school. Mom was just getting home & this young lady is still not feeling well & headache...

I am worried about her & thinking I made the wrong decision not to call an ambulance. Mom doesn't seem concerned but I was very close to calling....

Featured Replies

Seems fine. She is not altered, nor is she unstable. If parent requests for 911, then it is a different story. Focus on interventions to provide a safe school environment from this point forward.

  • Experts

I can't think of anything you should have done differently or should not have done differently. You've beat yourself up enough already. Let it go, Nurse. You did a great job.

  • Author

Thanks Old Dude!! I am doing a good job of second guessing every decision I make & beating myself up. Hopefully, I can get better at letting go of it.

I might have asked about substances (drug exposure-dilated pupils), pregnancy possibility, or menstrual cycle with these symptoms. Otherwise you did what you could. I have several HS girls that get severe symptoms with their cycle (pale, dizzy, nausea, vomiting). Now knowing the bit about hypoglycemia I'd ask for a doctor's note concerning what to do at school if these symptoms happen again.

I agree with all of the above and also the date of her last period....

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Add a Comment

Currently Reading 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.