What was the MOST ridiculous thing a patient came to the ER for?

And did you have to treat them?

I am just curious. Your stories always seem to either crack me up or shake my head in amazement.

Thanks for sharing ?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

This can be an emergency.

If a young, generally healthy person is having nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and no fever, I'd venture to say that they can safely wait it out at home for 24 hours before calling EMT.

[MissBrittanyRN]

A toe ring that was too tight, but it wasn't a solid circle. I just opened up the ring a little and it slipped right off. Amazingly, she was sent to the ER from her doctors office. Go figure!

Unfortunately, some doctors offices "send" patients to the ER for ridiculous things quite often. I did not agree with it, but I had seen it a lot when I worked as a receptionist in a primary care office. By "send" I mean that some patients, usually repeat offenders would just walk in for things that either did not warrant medical attention or that could wait for an appointment and throw a hissy fit when they could not be considered the priority above those with appointments and would not be taken back immediately. So the doctor or nurse would let them know the situation, and when the client did not take the hint, they would often tell them that if they were seriously concerned for their well being, that they should go to the ER or and urgent care center.

[KungFuFtr]

If a young, generally healthy person is having nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and no fever, I'd venture to say that they can safely wait it out at home for 24 hours before calling EMT.

I didn't have a fever or vomiting when I had appendicitis. Once it ruptures they will be pain free; until peritonitis sets in

[belle87RN]

Stomach pain, nausea & vomiting x 6 hours. No fever. Came to the ER by ambulance...

Why not wait at least 24 hours to see if the thing resolves itself?

As much as we scoff at it, it can be an emergency. Twice in one night we had young females come into the ED for stomach pain and N/V for several hours by ambulance. One had a almost if not already ruptured ectopic pregnancy, the other had bleeding into her abdomen from and unknown cause (at least by the time I left the cause was still unknown.) All of the staff groaned at them coming in via BLS but it both their cases it was needed. But then again, these are only 2 examples of legit reasons to come by ambulance amid the numerous non-legit reasons.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

My husband had abdominal pain, period -- periumbilical for a few days that localized to the RLQ; no nausea, no vomiting, afebrile, normal WBCs. He had an atypical presentation of appendicitis and required surgery. Pathology revealed an enlarged appendix with a focal infection on the distal end. (Seriously, his surgeon told me it was the largest appendix he's seen in a long time ... I was so proud! Ha ha! )

[Tonjia]

I have seen some pretty ridiculous things in the ER , a lady who gave herself a whiskey enema, several foreign bodies in orifices, but the single most ridiculous thing I saw was:

A 14 yr old female brought to the ER by a hysterical mom. C/C "blue hands" yep folks, the palms of her hands were blue, she felt fine, looked fine otherwise, wasnt short of breath, had not touched paint, ink etc.. So, me, being the experienced ER nurse that I was, pulled out an alcohol pad and swiped her hand. The blue came off!! Come to find out, she was wearing an unwashed, brand new pair of jeans!! problem solved!! They left without being seen...

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

yesterday a patien't came to ER tell me this cheif complain :

" i want to make a check up on my body "

"Okay" (takes a skin marker and draws a check mark).

[bonestAx]

Pt arrive by EMS c c/o butt pain.....:smackingf They went to the waiting room.

[sharpeimom]

pt arrive by ems c c/o butt pain.....:smackingf they went to the waiting room.

i'm wondering just whose butt the pain was in?! :icon_roll

kathy

shar pei mom:paw::paw:

[delilas]

On his 21st birthday party, his friends put Viagra into his drink. Being 21, and not needing any help getting an erection, his went far past the 4 hour "call your doctor" limit Viagra advertises. By the time he put his shame aside and came to the ER, he was going on 7 hours.

[RetiredTooSoon]

By the time he put his shame aside and came to the ER, he was going on 7 hours.

*Winces* I don't even have a member and I'm crossing my legs in sympathy.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

*Winces* I don't even have a member and I'm crossing my legs in sympathy.

No kidding! Yikes. I wouldn't call that a "ridiculous" reason for a visit, either! I had a Trazodone overdose patient last year ... apparently priapism is a side effect of that, too.