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 ?

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Just FYI, you can also get liquid earwax softener at the pharmacy, OTC, to use before flushing. I use a 10 or 20 cc syringe, easier to control the pressure and volume that way.

Yep, I was going to suggest that -- Debrox. Great stuff. :)

Specializes in ICU.

For the ear wax problem, here's a tip I got from a Family practice doctor. Docusate sodium liquid (a stool softener) in each ear for about twenty minutes - with a cotton ball to hold it in- will soften the wax. I tried that on my friend and flushed her ears and it really works.

The doc said it's a cheap off label use.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

^Tried all of these options over the last ten years. I'd prefer to not have to use a 60 cc for obvious reasons. None of the OTC earwax softening stuff works at all. I'm just hoping that our future children don't end up with whatever he has.

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Mineral oil / baby oil is great for softening ear wax -- cheap and easy to buy, too. :D

Specializes in Emergency, Haematology/Oncology.

A 17 year old guy presented to triage and there was a little bit of a language barrier and he seemed embarrassed so I brought him inside to chat. Thats right folks, he came to the EMERGENCY department because he was having too many wet dreams.

Im not kidding, and yes, I triaged him because he insisted on seeing a doctor.

Specializes in DD, Mental Health, Geriatric.

I agree.......kidney stones are an experience in pain that Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition, could never have topped! :eek: I had two of 'em several years ago---one in the right kidney, and one in the bladder, both of which were almost a centimeter in diameter---and ended up having to have them blasted out by laser lithotripsy. A couple days before the procedure the bladder stone had tried to pass on its own, but of course it was far too big to get through, and I'm telling you, I sat on the toilet for about three hours (it felt like I had to pee every two minutes, so I ended up just staying in there), the sweat was pouring off me in rivers, and it was all I could do to keep from screaming! I'd never been in such agony in my life, and I've been through appendicitis, unmedicated childbirth, and three C-sections. On a 0-10 scale, this pain rated at least a 12.5.......I'll never forget it.

Then, of course, after you have the laser lithotripsy, there's the little matter of having stents in your ureters to keep them patent. Every time I went to the bathroom---and that was pretty danged often---it felt like someone had lit twin blowtorches in my lower back. The first time I was able to pee without pain, after my urologist had removed the stents, it felt so good I literally burst into tears........Needless to say, I make sure to ALWAYS drink at least two liters of water and other non-caffeinated fluids every day, as I know the statistical probability of a repeat performance (and thus live in fear of another attack :chair: ).

I also agree on the seriousness of kidney stone pain! For about six years straight no matter what I did, how I ate or drank I just kept forming and passing kidney stones! I has lithotripsy done twice and passed a whole bunch from both sides and then, about four years ago or so they just suddenly stopped as mysteriously as they began and I didn't change a thing. My doctor was baffled. He goes "Sometimes the human body is just weird." But, yeah, it's never silly to head to the ER if you feel like your passing a stone!

Specializes in Emergency.

I had a guy once transported by ambulance for chapped lips. No kidding. I am not sure if I was more irritated by the patient or the ambulance crew...

Specializes in SDU, Tele.
The police had raided a crack house. In the refrigerator they found what they thought was a human fetus. They brought it to the ER. It was an oyster.

ROFL!!!!

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
I had a guy once transported by ambulance for chapped lips. No kidding. I am not sure if I was more irritated by the patient or the ambulance crew...

I'm sure the EMTS or Paramedics really enjoyed this patient wasting their time as well. In all seriousness though, and this may vary state to state although Im doubtful, but EMS protocol is if that patient insists on coming in they are legally liable and have to bring them in so next time save all your anger and annoyance for your crazy dry lipped patients lol and keep a stat supply of chap-stik ready

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

17 yr old called EMS for sunburn. Kid comes walking by with the crew and doc states "Damn, that kid is whiter than I am." Needless to say, the sunburn was pretty much nonexistant. Pt advised to use aloe vera and discharged. :D

Mother came in via EMS with her 4 yr old b/c she "ran out of benadryl". Kid was "sneezy", no other complaints. :banghead: Asked for a taxi voucher when she left, was denied.

Specializes in Emergency.

43 y/o male, bilateral knee pain. Pt is 420 lbs. Not a doc, but a 5 year old could diagnose this...anyway, here's the conversation.

Patient: "nurse, why do you think this is happening. I cant take it anymore."

Me: "It's highly likely that your weight is causing your pain. Your knees can only hold so..... *cut off in mid sentence*"

Patient: "Oh come on! I'm tired of hearing that! That's what you say when you can't figure out what's wrong with me!"

Me: "Ok"

After 9/11, a pathologist opened a body bag and removed a bone with some flesh attached - and started laughing, because it was a pork chop. One of the other pathologists said, "Last week, everyone lined up and saluted a leg of lamb."

+ Add a Comment