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DoDEA School Health Services Manual 2942.0 Volume 1 Revised: 2016 DRAFT
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Symptoms reported by injured student
Thinking/Remembering:
• Difficulty thinking clearly
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Feeling more slowed down
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
Emotional:
• Irritable
• Sad
• More emotional than usual
• Nervous
Physical:
• Headache or “pressure” in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Fatigue or feeling tired
• Blurry or double vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Numbness or tingling
• Does not “feel right”
Sleep: Only ask about sleep symptoms if the injury occurred on a prior
day:
• Drowsy
• Sleeps less than usual
• Sleeps more than usual
• Has trouble falling asleep
You can’t see a concussion and some students may not experience or report symptoms
until hours or days after the injury. Most young people with a concussion will recover
quickly and fully. But for some, concussion signs and symptoms can last for days,
weeks, or longer.
4) Nursing Actions to take when a student is presented after a bump, blow, to
the head or jolt to the body.
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Take a complete history of the incident. This should be verified with any
witnesses in case of altered mental status.
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Assess vital signs and perform neuro check. Use SHSM Form H-4-12
(Assessment of Suspected Head Injury) to assess the head injury.
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Observe student for signs and symptoms of concussion for a minimum of
30 minutes.
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If danger signs of concussion are identified, notify local emergency
medical services (EMS) immediately. A copy of SHSM Form H-4-12
(Assessment of Suspected Head Injury) should be given to EMS, to