Resources for school nurses
Concussion Alliance
Concussion recovery begins with education; we’re here to ensure patients and providers know what to do next.
Concussions can have physiological effects on brain function, leading to mood changes and cognitive difficulties in addition to the physical symptoms commonly associated with concussion. Concussion, recovery, and persisting symptoms can all affect a student as they begin their return to a classroom and physical activity. In this resource, we'll highlight suggestions for interacting with parents and students, as well as provide resources to help support the student in their return to school and sport.
This article is an excerpt from the Resources for School Nurses on the Concussion Alliance website.
Contents
Concussion definition and implications
Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that can occur when the head, neck, or body experiences a blow, resulting in an impulsive force being transmitted to the brain, causing the brain tissue to stretch, compress, and twist inside the skull. Although concussions are an invisible injury, they can significantly impact your overall well-being and mental health. It is essential to recognize that concussions are not just physical injuries; they can also affect your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
School nurses can help dispel concussion myths:
Myth: Rest completely in a dark room
Doing this can actually delay recovery! It is better to engage in relative rest, which means engaging in regular, non-strenuous daily activities, including light walking, social interactions, or easy household chores. Mild and brief symptom worsening is okay, but be mindful of current guidelines.
Myth: Stay off of screens until recovered
Screen use (phones, TVs, computers, etc.) should be minimized for the first 48 hours (130 minutes total over two days) but can be increased as tolerated afterward. Maintaining social connections, even over the phone, is an important part of the recovery process!
Myth: Wait for symptoms to resolve completely before returning to school
Students do NOT need to be asymptomatic or medically cleared to return to school! Students should return to school within a week, with the help of adjustments or accommodations such as modified schedule, workload, and classroom environment.
What to do when a student comes into your office with a concussion
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Identifying Concussion
See CDC Factsheet for full list of signs and symptoms
Commons signs include:
Common symptoms include:
CALL 911 IN CASE OF…
Note: Not every concussion leads to immediate symptoms - symptoms may appear hours or even days after the injury.
Immediate care
Allow child to rest
Even if they say they feel fine, a student displaying signs of concussion should NOT return to class or sport. Do not provide painkillers within 12 hours of concussion, as they may mask worsening symptoms and medications like ibuprofen and aspirin may increase risk of bleeding.
Don’t allow the student to leave school by themselves, drive, or ride a bike.
Inform family as soon as possible
Advise families to allow their child 1-2 days of relative rest, meaning engagement in non-demanding tasks such as easy daily chores and light walking, with extremely limited screentime in the first 2 days.
Advise family to see healthcare professional as soon as possible
Family should seek out a complete evaluation and diagnosis within 2 days so they can determine next steps for recovery (which healthcare professionals are allowed to diagnose concussion varies by state).
Helping in return to class
Students may need help securing accommodations or adjustments (postponing tests, extra time on assignments, partial school days) in order to participate in class.
Students may also need to use the resources provided by the nurse’s office to rest from class.
If symptoms last 10 days or longer
If you notice symptoms persist further than 2-4 weeks, recommend seeking additional care. Guidelines recommend seeking treatment if headaches, dizziness, and neck pain last longer than 10 days.
Read more on "What to Tell Parents," "Advice for Persistent Symptoms," and "Returning to School Protocols" at the Concussion Alliance website: HERE