NCSN flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

BMI percentile classification

For children and teens, BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex is classified as obesity; 85th to below 95th is overweight.

Pure-tone hearing screening

A common school screening presents 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz tones at 20 dB; no response in either ear at any frequency is a fail requiring rescreening.

Fever threshold

A temperature of 38.0 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher is generally considered fever; measurement route and device can affect readings.

Concussion return-to-play rule

An athlete with suspected concussion must not return to play the same day and needs evaluation plus a gradual, stepwise return after symptom resolution.

Hand hygiene duration

Soap-and-water handwashing should last at least 20 seconds, covering palms, backs, between fingers, and under nails; alcohol sanitizer needs at least 60% alcohol.

HPV vaccination schedule

HPV vaccination can begin at age 9 and is routinely recommended at 11-12; catch-up is recommended through age 26, with shared decision-making for ages 27-45.

Tdap booster timing

A Tdap booster is routinely recommended at 11-12 years, with tetanus-diphtheria boosters every 10 years thereafter; pregnancy requires a dose each pregnancy.

Daily physical activity

Children and adolescents aged 6-17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, including muscle- and bone-strengthening activities at least 3 days weekly.

Hypoglycemia treatment rule

For a conscious student with blood glucose below 70 mg/dL, give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate, recheck in 15 minutes, and repeat until glucose is above 70.

Status epilepticus threshold

A seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or repeated seizures without recovery, is status epilepticus and requires emergency medical activation.

Anaphylaxis first-line drug

Intramuscular epinephrine is first-line treatment for anaphylaxis and should be given promptly; antihistamines do not treat airway or circulatory compromise.

Sickle cell fever emergency

A student with sickle cell disease and temperature of 38.3 degrees Celsius (101 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher needs urgent medical evaluation because of sepsis risk.

Adult CPR compression ratio

For adult CPR, give 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths; compress at 100-120 per minute to a depth of at least 2 inches.

Severe bleeding control

Apply firm direct pressure to a severe bleeding wound, use a tourniquet for life-threatening extremity bleeding if pressure fails, and call emergency services.

Choking conscious child

For a conscious choking child who cannot cough, speak, or breathe, give back blows and abdominal thrusts; for an infant use back slaps and chest thrusts.

Poison exposure response

For suspected poisoning, call poison control or emergency services and follow guidance; do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a poison center.

Direct suicide risk question

Asking directly about suicidal thoughts does not increase risk; it helps identify students needing immediate safety planning, supervision, and referral.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Calling or texting 988 connects people in the United States to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential crisis support and referral.

Mandated reporting of abuse

School nurses are mandated reporters; suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported to designated child protective services according to state law and district policy.

De-escalation first step

When a student is escalating, reduce stimulation, maintain safe distance, use calm brief statements, and avoid arguing or crowding to preserve safety.

FERPA and health records

School health records are generally education records protected by FERPA; HIPAA does not govern most school health records because of the education-record exclusion.

Section 504 eligibility

Section 504 protects students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, providing accommodations and services without requiring special education.

Medication administration requirements

School medication administration generally requires a valid prescriber order, parent authorization, pharmacy-labeled container, and trained staff following district policy and state law.

RN delegation limit

An RN may delegate specific nursing tasks to trained unlicensed personnel under state nurse practice act rules, but cannot delegate nursing judgment or assessment.

School health needs assessment

A needs assessment identifies student health risks, existing resources, and gaps using data such as surveys, screening results, and attendance before priorities are set.

Emergency reunification planning

Reunification planning establishes controlled student release locations, parent verification procedures, and communication methods for use after school evacuation or crisis.

PDSA improvement cycle

The Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle tests a small change, reviews results, and refines the intervention before broader implementation in quality improvement.

School health advisory council

A school health advisory council includes families, staff, and community partners who advise on health policy, programs, and coordinated school health efforts.

PICO question format

PICO stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome; it structures a focused clinical or program question for evidence searching.

Evidence hierarchy principle

Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials generally provide stronger evidence than observational studies or expert opinion, but applicability to school populations must be assessed.

Care coordination definition

Care coordination organizes communication and services among students, families, school staff, and health providers to support safe, continuous management of health needs.

Cultural humility in practice

Cultural humility involves self-reflection, openness to others' identities, and power-sharing; it supports respectful school health communication rather than assuming cultural knowledge.