Showing posts with label health concerns. Show all posts

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Asthma At School

Understanding Asthma in Schools:

What Every School Nurse Needs to Know

+ This post contains affiliate links. +

Asthma is one of the most common chronic health conditions you'll encounter as a school nurse—and one of the most important to prepare for before the school year begins.

The good news? You don't have to memorize everything. Strong asthma management starts with good systems, updated documentation, staff education, and trusted resources.

Whether you're caring for one student with asthma or twenty, this guide will help you build confidence in supporting students throughout the school day.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs, making them inflamed and narrow, which can make breathing difficult. Asthma symptoms can vary from person to person but typically include:

Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
Shortness of breath
Coughing, especially at night or early in the morning
Chest tightness

Asthma attacks occur when the airways become even more inflamed and narrow, making it harder to breathe. Triggers can include allergens (like pollen or pet dander), irritants (such as smoke or strong odors), physical activity, and even cold air or stress.

Prevalence of Asthma in Schools

Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions among children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 12 children has asthma. This means that in many schools, it’s likely that several students will be managing asthma on a daily basis.

Children with asthma may have different levels of severity. Some may only experience occasional symptoms, while others may face frequent asthma attacks that require medication or even emergency medical care. As school nurses, we need to be prepared to manage asthma in both mild and severe cases.

Building Your Asthma Management System

When managing asthma in schools, it’s important to understand the distinct roles and differences for the following types of forms / documents!

Asthma Action Plan, Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs), and State Policies & School Procedures

Asthma Action Plan (AAP) – An Asthma Action Plan (AAP) is a written, personalized guide created by the student’s healthcare provider, usually their doctor, to manage their asthma. This plan provides clear instructions for both the student and school staff on how to handle asthma symptoms and prevent attacks. It’s designed to help everyone involved know what steps to take during a specific student's asthma episode. There are many free examples available online to help create or update an AAP. Helpful Tip: Review Asthma Action Plans before the school year begins and anytime changes are made. Becoming familiar with each student's plan before an emergency occurs helps you respond more confidently. A comprehensive Asthma Action Plan typically includes:

Personalized triggers – What sets off the student's asthma, such as dust, pet dander, or cold air.
Symptoms to watch for – How to recognize the early signs of an asthma attack, such as coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness.
Medications – Detailed instructions about daily medications (like inhalers) and emergency medications (such as rescue inhalers).
Emergency actions – Steps to take if the student’s asthma symptoms get worse, including when to call for help or seek medical attention.

Contact information – Emergency contact numbers, including the student’s doctor and parents.

Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) – Written by the school nurse, the IHP is a comprehensive plan that outlines the student’s health needs and how nursing staff will meet those needs during the school day. For students with asthma, and IHP would most likely include the nursing assessment, nursing diagnoses, goals, interventions, expected outcomes, and an evaluation area. IHPs should be reevaluated and updates as needed, but at least each school year.
State Policies and School Procedures – When it comes to managing asthma in schools, it’s important to understand the difference between state policies and school procedures—both are essential, but they serve different purposes.

State Policies- State policies are laws or mandates passed by the state legislature. In Illinois, for example, the law 105 ILCS 5/22-30 allows students to carry and self-administer their asthma medication (like an inhaler) at school, as long as the proper documentation is provided by the parent/guardian and the student’s healthcare provider.
These laws are designed to protect students' rights and ensure schools follow standardized safety guidelines across the state. In Illinois, 105 ILCS 5/22-30 requires schools to:
Permit self-carry/self-administration of asthma medication with appropriate written authorization
Ensure staff are informed and trained on the school’s asthma policies
Maintain an asthma emergency response protocol
Request an Asthma Action Plan for each student diagnosed with asthma
School Procedures- School procedures are the step-by-step processes each school or district puts in place to carry out the state policy. They are the way each school or district follows the law, based on their own staff, setup, and available resources. Examples of school-level procedures include:

How inhalers are stored in the nurse’s office (if not self-carried)
When and how staff are trained to recognize and respond to asthma symptoms
Which forms need to be submitted and how often
Protocols for field trips, gym class, or after-school activities

Supporting Students with Asthma

As the primary healthcare provider in the school setting, the school nurse plays a key role in managing asthma. Here’s what school nurses should know and do to ensure that students with asthma receive the best care:

✔ Review Asthma Action Plans
✔ Develop nursing care plans
✔ Educate school staff
✔ Monitor environmental triggers
✔ Promote correct inhaler technique
✔ Coordinate with families and providers
✔ Prepare for emergencies

Learning from an Asthma Expert

One of the best parts of being a school nurse is that there's always something new to learn.

That's why I was excited to invite Dr. Juanita Mora, CEO of the Chicago Allergy Center and National Spokesperson for the American Lung Association, to share her expertise with members of GROUNDS FOR GROWTH™.

Our discussion covers practical topics school nurses face every year, including:

✔ Asthma Action Plans
✔ Common asthma triggers in schools
✔ Rescue inhaler updates
✔ Practical strategies for supporting students with asthma
✔ Live questions from school nurses

👉 Learn more about GROUNDS FOR GROWTH™ and upcoming member resources below.

Final Thoughts

Every student with asthma deserves to feel safe, included, and ready to learn.

As school nurses, we help make that happen by building strong systems, educating school staff, partnering with families, and preparing for emergencies before they occur.

Preparation builds confidence—and confidence leads to better care.

Beyond the Asthma Action Plan

Ideally, every student with asthma would have an updated Asthma Action Plan on file each school year—but in reality, that doesn’t always happen. When symptoms start to affect a student’s ability to learn, participate fully in class, or join in school activities, an IHP and sometimes even a 504 Plan are the next best way to make sure the right supports are in place.

That's why I created these editable Asthma resources. Whether you need an IHP, 504 Plan, or Teacher Tips, each resource is designed to save time while helping you create clear, student-centered plans that support both health and learning.

Building Your Asthma Toolkit

Patient Education Matters

On the surface (no pun intended!), this video is funny—but it also highlights an important lesson for school nurses.

Students need to understand their own health conditions, recognize symptoms, know when and how to use their medications, and feel comfortable asking for help when something doesn't feel right.

Patient education is an important part of what we do every day, and sometimes a little humor is the perfect reminder of why it matters.

Top 10 Asthma Resources for School Nurses & Families

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Asthma
https://www.cdc.gov/asthma Offers data, management tips, educational materials, and CDC’s National Asthma Control Program resources.
American Lung Association – Asthma
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma
Provides asthma basics, treatment info, downloadable Asthma Action Plans, and school-focused resources.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma Offers in-depth clinical guidelines and educational resources for professionals and families.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
https://www.aafa.org A comprehensive resource for asthma facts, webinars, support groups, and multilingual asthma action plans.
Allergy & Asthma Network
https://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org Focuses on patient education and advocacy; includes school resources, handouts, and inhaler technique videos.
Healthy Schools Campaign – Managing Asthma in Schools
https://healthyschoolscampaign.org Offers school-specific asthma policies, training modules, and action plan development guides.
National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
https://www.nasn.org/nasn-resources/practice-topics/asthma Curated asthma resources for school nurses, including toolkits, webinars, and evidence-based practices.
KidsHealth – Asthma Center
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/asthma.html Parent-friendly and kid-friendly information, plus printable guides and student asthma support tips.
Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)
https://ginasthma.org International guidelines for asthma management and prevention; excellent for updated care standards.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Asthma and Indoor Air Quality
https://www.epa.gov/asthma Offers resources about managing asthma triggers in the school environment and improving air quality.

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Caring for Students with Chronic Health Conditions: A School Nurse's Guide

Caring for Students with Chronic Health Conditions

~ this post contains affiliate links ~

Helpful School Nurse Tip: You don't have to become an expert on every health condition before the first day of school. Start by learning about the students in your building, use trusted resources, and build your knowledge one condition at a time.

Every School Is Different...

But Nearly Every School Nurse Cares for Students with Chronic Health Conditions

More than 40% of school-aged children have at least one chronic health condition. Some students require very little support throughout the school day, while others rely on the school nurse every single day to safely attend school.

The exact health conditions you'll encounter depend on your school population, but one thing is certain—learning how to recognize common conditions, gather accurate health information, and develop practical care plans is one of the most important parts of school nursing.

Fortunately, you don't have to know everything on day one. Every student, every diagnosis, and every school year becomes another opportunity to learn and grow.

Health Conditions You May Encounter

School nurses care for students with a wide variety of acute and chronic health conditions. Some diagnoses are very common, while others may only be seen once or twice during your career.

Remember, a diagnosis is only part of the story. Two students with the same condition may have completely different healthcare needs, accommodations, medications, and emergency plans.

Examples of Health Conditions School Nurses May Encounter:

ADD / ADHD	Allergies	Anxiety
Asthma	Bleeding Disorders	Congenital Neurological Conditions
Celiac Disease	Cerebral Palsy with Partial Limb Paralysis	Diabetes- Type 1
Gastrointestinal Issues	Gilbert’s Syndrome	Hurler Syndrome
Headaches/Migraines	Autoimmune Hepatitis	Hypothyroidism
Heart Conditions	Rheumatoid Arthritis	Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Scoliosis	Seizure Disorders	Vision Impairments- partial and total blindness

Every Student Is Different

One of the first things you'll discover as a school nurse is that no two students are exactly alike—even when they share the same diagnosis.

For example, one student with asthma may rarely visit the health office, while another depends on daily medication, an Asthma Action Plan, and emergency interventions. The same is true for diabetes, seizure disorders, severe allergies, heart conditions, and many other chronic illnesses.

Instead of trying to memorize every possible diagnosis, focus on learning each student's individual healthcare needs. Review healthcare provider orders, communicate with families, collaborate with staff, and develop plans that support each student's success at school.

Build Your Health Condition System

Over the years, I've learned that confidence doesn't come from memorizing every diagnosis—it comes from having a reliable system.

When I learn that a student has a new or updated health condition, I begin gathering the information I'll need to safely care for them throughout the school year.

That may include:

Student health history
Healthcare provider orders
Medication authorization forms
Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)
Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs)
504 accommodations (when appropriate)
Teacher communication
Ongoing documentation

Having a consistent process helps ensure nothing important is overlooked while making each new diagnosis feel much less overwhelming.

Where Do You Find Reliable Information?

One of the best habits you can develop as a school nurse is knowing where to find trustworthy information.

Healthcare provider orders, your state's school health guidance, evidence-based resources, continuing education, professional organizations, and experienced school nurses can all become valuable resources throughout your career.

You don't have to know everything.

You simply need to know where to find reliable information when you need it.

Building Your Own Resource Library

Over the years, I've created a growing collection of condition-specific resources that I continue to use in my own practice.

Inside The School Nurse Digital Toolkit™, GROUNDS FOR GROWTH™ members have access to a growing library of:

Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) templates
Teacher tip sheets
Health condition resource hubs
Editable templates
Practical tools & resources for school nurses

You do not need every answer memorized. You need a dependable process and trusted places to look.

Learn more about GROUNDS FOR GROWTH™ and The School Nurse Digital Toolkit™.

Individualized Healthcare Plans

As you become familiar with your students' health conditions, you'll likely begin creating Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs).

An IHP helps organize important health information, guide nursing care, support emergency planning, and communicate a student's healthcare needs with school staff.

If you're new to writing IHPs, I've created another blog post that explains what an IHP is, when you might use one, and what information to include.

Looking for a Specific Health Condition?

Whether you're supporting a student with asthma, diabetes, seizures, POTS, allergies, cardiac conditions, cystic fibrosis, or another chronic health condition, I've organized my Teachers Pay Teachers resources by health condition to make them easier to find.

Browse the collection and choose the resources that best fit your students, your school, and your workflow.

Browse Health Condition Resources on my TPT Storefront

Final Thoughts

I've been a certified school nurse since 1996 and I still learn something new every school year.

New diagnoses appear.

New medications become available.

New research is published.

The goal isn't to know everything.

The goal is to know where to find reliable information when you need it.

Take it one student, one condition, and one conversation at a time.

You'll be surprised how quickly your confidence grows.

References

CDC, 2020
CDC Healthy Schools, 2021
Illinois State Board of Education, 2014
NASN, 2015
National Center for Education Statistics, 2019
Wang et al (2014)

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Digital Student Health History Form

Digital Health History Form for Students

+ this post contains affiliate links+

Digital Health History Form for Students

Keeping student health information up to date is an important part of school nursing practice. Knowing your students' current health conditions can help you plan for their needs, identify students who may need an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) or Emergency Action Plan (EAP), and provide appropriate care throughout the school day.

A digital student health history form can provide an easy and organized way for parents and guardians to share updated health information with the school nurse.

Health History Purpose

The purpose of this digital student health history form is to provide an easier, yet formal way, for the school nurse to gather (collect data) on medical conditions for current students. Although this digital form is 100% editable, it currently offers parents a way to inform the nurse of the following:

Current health concerns

Explanation of the health concern

Description of how the health concerns impacts the student's school day

Requested accommodations the might benefit the student throughout the school day

Doctor contact information

As you can see, this digital health history form provides parents a chance to subjectively provide the school nurse with an overview of their child's current health conditions. The school nurse can then ask for needed / required follow up information from the student's parents and/or physician.

How To Collect A Student Health History

Have you ever had a parent call with an important health update—or had a student casually mention something you didn't previously know?

Those conversations can provide valuable information, but having updated health information documented in writing can make follow-up much easier.

A digital health history form can be shared with families at the beginning of the school year, during registration, when a student enrolls, or anytime a student's health status changes.

If you're using a Google Form, remember to review your notification and response settings so you have a reliable process for knowing when new information has been submitted.

After reviewing a response, follow up with the family as needed to:

Clarify health information
Request additional medical documentation or healthcare provider orders
Discuss school accommodations or supports
Determine whether an IHP, EAP, 504 Plan, or other documentation may be appropriate
Discuss how relevant health information will be communicated to appropriate school staff

Why a Health History Is Important

Accurate student health histories are important. Knowing what to do with that information is even more important.

Digital Health Records

Many schools use electronic student information systems to maintain student records. Determine how health information should be documented within your district's system and whether health conditions can be entered, tracked, and reported.

Taking the time to maintain accurate records throughout the year can make reviewing student needs—and preparing end-of-year reports—much easier.

Health Condition Lists

Many moons ago, I created Excel spreadsheets to track student health concerns because that was the best option I had!

Thankfully, today's student information systems often make this much easier. Depending on your system, you may be able to generate reports by health condition, grade level, graduation year, teacher, or other criteria.

These reports can help you understand the health needs within your school population and provide valuable data when preparing reports for administrators, supervisors, or your school board.

Individualized Healthcare Plans

Information gathered through a health history can help identify students who may need an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP).

Review each student's individual needs along with your district policies, state requirements, nursing standards, and professional nursing judgment when determining appropriate health planning and documentation.

Emergency Action Plans

Students with health conditions that have the potential to become a medical emergency during the school day may require an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

The health history can help identify students who need additional follow-up with their parent/guardian and healthcare provider to ensure appropriate emergency plans, orders, medications, and supplies are available at school.

Medication Forms

Knowing which medications a student takes can help the school nurse understand the bigger picture of the student's health.

If medication needs to be administered during school hours, follow your state requirements and district policies regarding healthcare provider orders, parent/guardian authorization, medication documentation, and administration.

Nursing Procedures

Health history information may also identify students who require nursing procedures during the school day, such as tube feedings, catheterization, suctioning, dressing changes, or other skilled nursing care.

Follow applicable state requirements, district policies, provider orders, and nursing standards when developing an appropriate plan of care for these students.

One Form Can Be the Starting Point

A student health history form doesn't replace nursing assessment or individualized follow-up. Instead, it gives the school nurse a starting point.

The information families provide can help you identify students who need additional assessment, documentation, healthcare provider orders, emergency planning, accommodations, or other school health support.

And having a consistent system for collecting that information can make the process much more manageable—especially at the beginning of a busy school year.

Looking for an easier way to collect student health information?

My editable Digital Student Health History Form can be customized for your school and shared electronically with families.