Nursing and community 2 (due 24 hours)
In most states, when the school nurse is unavailable and a student with diabetes needs care, it is the responsibility of administrators to designate an individual or team of individuals who are willing and qualified to provide the necessary care. This could include teachers, counselors, coaches, or other staff members. The designated individuals should be trained in diabetes management techniques and receive regular updates on any new information related to managing diabetes in school settings.
It is important that each state provides specific regulations regarding which staff members can administer insulin injections or glucagon treatments and other medical tasks. Each state also has its own laws governing which individuals can take blood glucose measurements from students with diabetes in school settings; these guidelines must be discussed ahead of time so that those responsible for providing care know what they may do legally.
Parents have a key role in ensuring their child’s safety while at school, whether there is a nurse available or not. Parents should make sure appropriate faculty are aware of their child’s condition and provide comprehensive instructions about how to recognize signs of low blood sugar levels, how to treat them as needed (including administering medication if allowed), and how often blood glucose monitoring should occur during the day. It is also important for parents to discuss emergency plans for more serious conditions such as severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia events so that everyone involved knows what action to take immediately if need be.