SCHOOL CLINIC GUIDELINES

1. Sore Throats: Are a very common complaint. They are not emergent and should not be sent to the clinic
during class, unless other symptoms are present as well. (ie: temp, vomiting, rash, strep odor) They may
be assessed by the clinic nurse/aide at break. If reddened or sinus drainage is observed, fluids may be
encouraged and a note may be sent home. If blisters or swollen tonsils are observed, a parent will be
contacted. Cough drops may be given to children >=10yrs of age and allowed only 1 trip to the clinic a day
to obtain them. <10 yrs. is a choking hazard and will not be given by school staff. Hard candy will NOT be
used as a substitute.
2. In emergency situations, Benadryl may be given prior to consent, and parent/guardian will be contacted
immediately.
3. Tylenol & Motrin will only be given to students with signed consent forms. If no consent form is signed, a
parent may be contacted by phone and give oral consent. But phone consent will be allowed ONLY 1
time. Written consent must be obtained thereafter.
4. Stomach aches: This is a very frequent complaint, often exaggerated, and difficult to medically evaluate. It
can become a very time consuming evaluation for the student, clinic nurse/aide, and teacher. If child
states vomiting, there must be verification from school staff. If the student has been in clinic x 20 minutes
without fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, they may return to class. Upon initial complaint to teacher, the
student should be given opportunity to use bathroom or eat a snack. If a child has a medical condition
that causes frequent stomach problems, it should be reported to the school nurse/aide or principal so
that a Plan of Care can be written and special arrangements can be made.
5. Dry chapped lips are not a medical necessity and do not need to be seen in the clinic unless sores or
bleeding are evident, then they will be allowed only 1 trip to the clinic for Vaseline. Parents are
encouraged to provide Chap Stick especially in the winter season.
6. Splinters will be removed if visible and accessible with tweezers. They will not be "dug" out. A Band-Aid
may be given and a note sent home to parents alerting them of the splinter.
7. If pink eye is suspected, child will be sent home and referred to a doctor for evaluation & treatment. If it is
diagnosed as pink eye, they may return to school after 24 hrs. of treatment with appropriate medicated
eye drops.
8. Students with draining wounds that cannot be covered with appropriate bandages will not be allowed at
school.
9. Head Lice: If lice are visible, student will be sent home. They may be excused one day from school for
treatment. Upon return to school, a parent/guardian must accompany child to clinic and have the
nurse/aide check head for lice. If no lice are found, child may stay at school. If lice are still present, they
will be sent back home. They will be checked every 3 days for new nits & lice. See "Head Lice" protocol for
more information.
10. Fever of >=100º the student will be sent home. They may return the next day if no fever, unless it is
during flu season then they must be fever-free for 24hrs without the use of fever-reducing medication.
11. All head traumas will be reported to parent/guardian immediately. Student will be sent home if needed.
12. Ringworm: Students will be sent home if ringworm is present. They may return to school after appropriate
medical treatment is started. 2 applications are preferred.
13. Chicken pox: All students with open/draining lesions will be excluded from school. They may not return
until ALL lesions are crusted & healing.
14. Scabies: If scabies is suspected, your child may be sent home and referred to a medical professional for
diagnosis. They may not return to school until treated and released by doctor.
15. Rashes: If allergic reaction is suspected and student is at risk for respiratory difficulty, your child may
receive Benadryl and be sent home or to a medical facility immediately. If not life threatening, they may
receive Benadryl with parent’s permission and remain at school if parent chooses. Rashes of unknown
origin will be reported to parent and treated accordingly.
16. Headaches: If student complains of a headache, and no other symptoms, they may be asked to remain in
class until break. Exceptions to this would be diagnosis of migraines or other medical condition that
includes frequent headaches. Questions to ask students before sending them to the clinic during class:
 hungry? Allergies? Sensitive to smells? Eye strain? These are not emergent and can wait until class breaks.
This is also a very frequent complaint and hard to evaluate/diagnose. Parents, please talk with your school
nurse if there is a history or medical problem so that special adjustments can be made.
17. Eye glass repairs can be time consuming and are preferably sent to the office for repairs.
18. Ear aches can be a common complaint, especially among the elementary age. Unless it is a chronic pain or
drainage is apparent, the child may be kept in class until break. The school nurse/aide can check for
inflammation and drainage, but cannot diagnose an ear infection; therefore the child may be referred to a
physician for further evaluation. Most children with earaches without temperature can stay at school,
some do very well with Tylenol or Motrin.
19. Over-the-counter medicines such as cough syrup, antihistamines, decongestants, etc. may be given at
school if absolutely necessary and as long as the parent brings the medicine in the original container,
labeled with student’s name, to the school nurse/aid with instructions (dose & time). They will be
administered for a maximum of 5 days, after 5 days, the child will be referred to his/her physician for
further evaluation. We do not encourage giving medicine at school when doses can be given at home or if
it will make student drowsy or impaired.
20. Nurse/Aides will not be responsible for "pulling" baby teeth. Do not send those students to the clinic.
21. If a student has a piercing that is infected (red, drainage, foul odor) they will be sent home.