Head and Neck
This type of head injury requires parental contact whether symptoms are present.
What is a concussion? This is a head injury and can range in severity. Some concussions may need time off, 504 support, and shortened days, while others need a temp darken room meds and monitoring. TREAT ALL AS POTENTIAL PROBLEM!
Contact the health office, monitor respirations, and escort to the health office.
What is a first bee sting with unknown allergies? You should give extra care and monitor for 10-15 minutes for changes in status.
You can do this for a long bone, finger, or toe to add support for a possible fracture.
What is a splinting injury? Splinting is done above and below the injury, adds stability, and protects the area from further injury. It does not have to be done.
Walk around, drink water, encourage a bowel movement, but may not need health staff?
What is an upset tummy? Work with teachers and playground staff to empower the student to take action prior to sending it to the nurse.
A head injury.
What is serious? We should make contact with the teacher, parent, and playground staff to watch for developing symptoms.
Numbness in extremities, confusion, pain changes in push-pull grip.
What are the symptoms of a neck injury? Try not to move this patient any more then you have to for safety and consider calling EMS.
A large welt, with lots of redness around the entry point?
What is a minor allergic reaction to a bee sting? This is a type of allergy to the venom and may need Benedryl consult with your RN for best treatment plan.
This type of fracture should be moved as little as possible and may be treated at the injury site.
What is a serious and obvious deformity fracture? If called to the playground and the fracture is open, serious or shock has started consider having 911 come to the site and not moving the patient.
Nervousness, anxiety, worry, friendship issues.
What are the common causes of a minor stomach ache? For patterns talk with your nurse, counselor, and teacher of the student. Don't forget to add acuity.
Abrasions like road rash.
What is minor? THough we want to effectively clean the area, these are typically minor and may even be treated in the classroom or by playground staff.
After calling for the AED, office staff, and 911, I ask the office to do this to protect children and the patient's privacy.
What is asking for a shelter-in-place? Sometimes friends are concerned and this can be traumatizing for the friends and student. Having playground move students or consider calling a shelter in place can restrict movement protecting your patient and others especially if 911 is called.
I can give this for acute respiratory impairment related to a bee sting.
What is an Epi-Pen? Comes in 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg.
This type of injury happens when a joint is moved past the normal range of motion.
What is hyperextension? This is often a minor injury but has some moderate pain, swelling, and redness. Treatment is ice and may involve splinting.
This medical condition may present as the inability to have a bowel movement but may also have loose stool.
What is constipation? Treatment is often with water rest and can be done in class.
Bee Sting.
What is both? Bee stings for the first time, known allergy, or that have an allergic reaction can be serious. Though most are minor and need TLC care.
The student has suffered a traumatic head injury and EMS is coming to the playground. The area is safe. The student is experiencing numbness in their limbs and is confused.
What is Don't move the student? Sometimes crowd control and setting up a barrier is the best till 911 arrives.
The dose I can give of Epi-Pen to a small kindergarten student.
What is 0.15 mg? I can give the 0.3 mg if no Jr pen is available.
These devices can be used to move a student who is unable to get to the health office under their own power.
What is a wheelchair or crutch? Crutches are the least restrictive and should be utilized by the student walking through not swinging. Wheelchairs are used to glide a patient safely from one area to another make sure to lock them.
Ridged abdomen after traumatic injury. Often has local discoloration and severe pain.
What is internal bleeding? Though not common we want to limit the movement of the patient and consider activating parental pick-up and/or 911.
A deformed bone or joint.
What is serious? These injuries need stabilization, protection, and emergency care. Not all deformities need to go via 911 but we should suggest medical attention to parent and call 911 if requested or shock sets in.
These are the instructions I give the teacher after releasing a child with a suspected head injury.
What is an adult escorting the student to the health office if the student has symptoms of confusion, severe pain in the head, sensitivity to light, or vomiting?
Respiratory impairment, categorized as a restriction, hives, and rash may also be present.
What is Anaphylaxis? Life threatening. Give Epi-Pen and call EMS.
An open fracture is susceptible to what that may be concerning.
What bleeds a lot and becomes infected. Never touch a bone that is protruding from the skin even with gloves. Try to keep the area clean as possible and call 911.
Rebound tenderness in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen might cause a low-grade fever.
What is acute appendicitis? Remember this phrase "when in doubt send it out".
lunch break
What is serious? You must take care of yourself and eat, recharge, and be ready for action.