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

Specialties Emergency Nursing Q/A

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 ?

    kids

    kids

    1 Article; 2,334 Posts

nurse-ratched said:
1. "the baby's crying." (no signs of illness, just crying)

Dumb reason to bring a healthy child in.

And I swear this is not a hijack.

My grandson had open heard a 10(?11) days old to correct TVG. He is dong fine and only needs annual follow-up, however the Peds cardiologist says he remains at risk for MI. His parents have instructions to take him to the nearest ER for crying without cause >30 minutes.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Years ago when I was working in another city, I got a patient from the ER with the admitting diagnosis of "decubitus ulcer." Now I thought that was mighty strange until I actually saw the patient. He had a decub all right -- the exact size, shape and depth of a toilet seat.

When asked how he got a pressure sore like that, he said he'd been sitting on the toilet for four days and four nights.

"Why were you sitting there for so long?"

"Looking for God."

He had multiple surgerys and months of antibiotics -- he was still there a year later when I changed jobs!

One guy took an ambulance because he needed to refill his meds at the hosp pharmacy.

One guy called an ambulance to get a new cane.

Methadonians that take them in, then disappear looking for the clinic.

I could go on all day.

Specializes in IMCU/PCU.

16 yo male with a stubbed toe. Triaged and sat in the waiting room for 2 hours. He got angry and went home. Upon arrival at home he immediately called 911. EMS brought him back only to sit for 4 more hours. Thought that he would get back sooner. LOL!:rotfl:

Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

Got a tetnus shot 2 days ago aand now her arm hurts.

1. Fresh Mosquito bite by ambulance(mom thought the child got West Nile)

2. Sunburn( yes it had been quite a bad sunburn....TWO WEEKS BEFORE)

3. Adult "toy" in an oriface and still running like the energizer bunny

4. 11 y/o that whooped up on three big male nurses for a scratch on her leg.

MOM was acting like the child had amputated her leg. Had AT LEAST a whole

roll of kerlix on it. Found out the wound was three days old an she needed

LORTAB for it

Tons more but those are some of the better ones

Steph

I'm tellin' ya, I worked ER as a corpsman 30 years ago, and it's like deja vu all over again hearing these stories--people using the ER as a convenience clinic, that is, because to call during the daytime and get an appointment in the appropriate clinic would disrupt their day.

But, hearing how you have to feed people nowadays--nope, I would never, ever do that. Ever. I don't care if they are homeless and hungry--there are other resources available. Especially when they manage to be able to afford cigarettes to go out in the ambulance bay area and smoke while hollering for their meal and snack trays and sodas. Hell with 'em, I'd say.

I feel like I am a burnt-out ER nurse just from READING these posts! I don't know how you folks put up with the nonsense! I'd go postal!

    kids

    kids

    1 Article; 2,334 Posts

I almost went to the ER today. My family is laughing at me so y'all may as well too.

Some background: I had major back surgery in April. Due to some post op complications (near bowel obstruction then an adverse reaction to Wellbutrin) I vomited for 5 weeks (I lost 30 lbs) which landed me in the ER twice for dehydration. Needless to say I am just a little freaked out at the prospect of vomiting (tho I am very good at it now :rolleyes: ).

Anyway, today I have a "little" migraine, doing OK keeping it tolerable with Excedrin & lots of water. It is a sunny day and I have to run a couple of errands that can not be put off because of the Holiday.

I am 10 minutes from home when my stomach revolts. I pull into a parking lot far from the street and any other cars and get the door open just in time to blow chow. There is a copious amount of bright red clumps. I am freaking, my heart is pounding and I am dizzy. I am sure I have blown an esophageal vessel. I debate it...should I continue home, should I go to the ER? I am in tears, I don't know what to do, I call my husband at work on my cell. Just as he answers the phone it dawns on me...

I ate a handfull of Hot Tamales (bright red cinnamon candy) just before I left the house an hour earlier.

I ate a handfull of Hot Tamales (bright red cinnamon candy) just before I left the house an hour earlier.

Yup, many a mom has brought a child to the ER with bright red blood in the diaper (usually running in, dirty diaper in hand). Strawberry fruit roll-ups and/or red Hawaiian Punch were usually a recent part of the diet.

Oh, and no offence, but maybe Hot Tamales aren't the greatest choice of foodstuffs with your recent medical history. But, that's really none of my business.

Specializes in Emergency Room/corrections.

We used to have a patient who would call 911 and be transported to the ER so he could go AMA, walk across the street to Hardees and call his cousin to come and pick him up so that he could run around in town all weekend.

He was transported from a group care home about 20 mi away. He was eventually charged with 911 fraud and moved away. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Young man- broken nose- hysterical wife- "I told you that you were going to kill yourself with those Num Chuks" (Had to be air-lifted to nearest trauma unit)

We first thought the wife was hysterical... she was just laughing so hard she was crying.

She stopped crying/laughing when the helicopter took off.

He kept yelling at her: "thnut up, thnitch"

Lady came in complaining she was allergic to her bra. When she presented the bra from her purse it looked like she had it for years- no elastic or spandex left to cause a reaction! Discharge instructions from Doc read: Buy a new bra:rotfl:

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