2008 Woodie Awards
Nurse says call health center for emergencies
By Jason B. Hogan
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Pulse
Originally published: 9/20/07 at 6:04 PM CSTLast update: 9/20/07 at 7:18 PM CST
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On Sept. 11, a student of this campus collapsed in the mall east of the chemistry-geology building.
There were numerous students who were in the vicinity, but for whatever reason, there was no attempt made at rendering assistance to him.
This student was having a seizure.
A seizure can be caused generally by conditions such as epilepsy, heat stroke, infection, snakebite or other poison, head injury, as well as a reaction to or overdose of drugs and medications.
Symptoms of a seizure vary widely depending upon what portion of the individual's brain was affected, but may involve the person crying out, losing consciousness or falling to the ground with uncontrollable convulsions.
Paula Daggett, R.N., coordinator of the college health center, said if any or all of these symptoms occur, the best thing to do is let it run its course. Leave the individual be, but monitor how long the conditions occur so qualified medical personnel or EMS technicians can be notified.
When students were questioned Monday concerning emergency situations, they were shocked. All agreed that something should have been attempted to aid the student and they said what they would have done in that situation.
John Gallegos, 19-year-old psychology major, said, "Since I have no actual training, I'd just call 911."
"I'd try to find a teacher and see if they could get in contact with the nurse," Tifaney Radersdorf, a 19-year-old digital graphics major, said.
Students also said the college needs to make more information available to students.
Yvette Rodriguez, an education and mathematics major, said, "They should show us where the nurse is at or where to go if something happens. Especially, if you're new."
The college nurse offerred a few tips should students or employees encounter a similar situation.
Daggett said, "Students in the area should move things away." If there are any furniture items or bags of any sort, remove them from the area to prevent the person from further injury.
There were numerous students who were in the vicinity, but for whatever reason, there was no attempt made at rendering assistance to him.
This student was having a seizure.
A seizure can be caused generally by conditions such as epilepsy, heat stroke, infection, snakebite or other poison, head injury, as well as a reaction to or overdose of drugs and medications.
Symptoms of a seizure vary widely depending upon what portion of the individual's brain was affected, but may involve the person crying out, losing consciousness or falling to the ground with uncontrollable convulsions.
Paula Daggett, R.N., coordinator of the college health center, said if any or all of these symptoms occur, the best thing to do is let it run its course. Leave the individual be, but monitor how long the conditions occur so qualified medical personnel or EMS technicians can be notified.
When students were questioned Monday concerning emergency situations, they were shocked. All agreed that something should have been attempted to aid the student and they said what they would have done in that situation.
John Gallegos, 19-year-old psychology major, said, "Since I have no actual training, I'd just call 911."
"I'd try to find a teacher and see if they could get in contact with the nurse," Tifaney Radersdorf, a 19-year-old digital graphics major, said.
Students also said the college needs to make more information available to students.
Yvette Rodriguez, an education and mathematics major, said, "They should show us where the nurse is at or where to go if something happens. Especially, if you're new."
The college nurse offerred a few tips should students or employees encounter a similar situation.
Daggett said, "Students in the area should move things away." If there are any furniture items or bags of any sort, remove them from the area to prevent the person from further injury.
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