Abdominal Pain
Clear liquids and avoid solid food.
What is the "General" recommendation for Abdominal Pain?
Offer cough syrup, dextromethorphan (as directed on label), at least 12 hours apart, (primarily at bedtime)
What is good to treat a cough?
Ask frequency and other symptoms like pain, fever or blood.
What are the first questions to ask a student who complains of diarrhea or nausea/vomiting?
Urgently obtain student evaluation by a clinician if abdominal pain is concurrent with temperature of 101 degrees or higher.
What do you do with a student who has a fever and abdominal pain?
First line support for unusual or strange student behavior.
When do you call the Career Counseling staff?
Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen)
What is NOT to be given during abdominal pain?
Pay attention to breathing difficulty particularly to sounds, including gasps or wheezes, and if a change color of skin/lips. Sat% finger monitor of <90% for more than a few (5-6) breath cycles.
What are the signs of respiratory distress?
Anytime abdominal pain is described.
When do you refer to the SMG for abdominal pain?
Urgently call the (On-Call) Health & Wellness staff if blood is noted in stool or vomit.
What do you do with a student presenting with bloody diarrhea or vomit?
Counseling Services are the primary support for the student body personal, social, relational and cultural needs.
What Service on center assists with group support sessions and refers out to more intensive services as needed?
Tums or Maalox (as directed) four times in a day
What can be given for mild abdominal pain?
Offer acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever reduction and encourage hydration.
What do you do for a cough with a fever over 100 degrees?
Check for fever and heart rate.
What kind of monitoring is appropriate with diarrhea or nausea/vomiting?
Urgently notify Wellness Staff if student cannot keep liquids down or has three or more vomiting episodes in an hour.
What steps to take if a student reports vomiting more than twice in an hour?
Career Counselors are available on weekends and after hours for student personal/social emergencies.
Who is available after hours for student personal/social emergencies?
Milk of Magnesia (single dose) and encourage fluids/juices.
What can be offered for mild abdominal pain caused by constipation?
Shortness of breath, wheezing or any asthma symptoms; OR if the cough persists and interferes with daily function or sleep.
When do you call Wellness Staff for the student with cough?
Offer clear liquids in small quantities and frequently.
How do you support a student who has diarrhea and/or nausea/vomiting?
Urgent-Suspect possible overdose-when student difficult to awaken or non-responsive to verbal cues.
What do you do if you find a student is excessively sleepy and not awakened by loud voice or sternal rub?
Do not leave student alone; provide a calm space with others nearby for phone access and an easy exit if needed.
What do you do with a student who is acting strange or threatening harm to Self or Others?
Constipation, diarrhea or regular menstrual cramps.
What is not considered an emergent abdominal event?
Respiratory distress is when the student has loud gasping/noisy breathing with bluish color changes around nailbeds while working hard to breathe and/or O2 Sat % <90%.
What is a respiratory emergency?
Severe abdominal pain that is not relieved by OTC (>6 on 10 scale) or with fever > 100.5 F; if student unable to keep down fluids d/t vomiting; or if blood is noted in stools or vomit
When should the Wellness Staff be notified urgently?
Emergent-Suspect possible overdose-when student is non-responsive to painful stimuli and/or has rattle/gurgle breath sounds or not breathing at all.
How do you know when to respond with a 911 call first?
Suicidal Self-Directed Violence (SSDV) Guidance
What is the most difficult Mental Health topic?