Stupidest reason to go to ER

Published

ER Nurses/MD's etc.

I am currently writing a "paper" on stupidest reason for someone to come to ER.

ANY input you can send me would be much appreciated. IF you'd like a copy of the FINAL draft, let me know.

THANKS in advance!

PS. My winning entry so far is:

A woman who brought 1 month old baby in at 2:30 (AM of course) because "it won't look me in the eye, It doesn't recognize me!"

Not kidding

Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

That's OK- I freaked out last week when my vet told me my dog's temp was 102 rectally- thinking she had some sort of infection. Come to find out that's a normal dog temperature!

That's why we'll have to stick to patients of the human variety...... ;)

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I got Kevin Trudeau's book "Natural Cures THEY Don't Want You To Know About" and it was good for a laugh and not much else.

Forgot something. I got it at the library. It's not worth the paper it's printed on, and is nothing more than advertising for his subscription-only website.

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This summer my mentally challenged son got a bad stomach bug. He couldn't keep anything down and was not his usual self, but just laid on the couch lethargic. This went on about 24 hours. Nothing stayed down, and the heat was in the 90's.

We finally took him to an urgent care center. I didn't want to overreact. I thought he'd eventually be fine and it was just a virus, and he'd be sent home.

The urgent care doc took one look at him and smelled ketotic breath on him and had an ambulance there to take him to a hospital within 15 minutes. He got a liter of fluid in the ER, and was so dehydrated he was headed toward acute renal failure. With potassium and fluid replacement, anti-emetics and rest, and a negative abdominal CT, he was fine and came home after a few days. :scrying:

Grace90:

Yeah, my brother was challenged too, so we had a heck of a time telling when anything was wrong with him, because he wouldn't say anything. It took two days once to figure out that he had a concussion and he once walked around for a week with a broken toe before my mom saw it and freaked out.

I'm glad your kiddo ended up being okay. That had to have been so scary for you!

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Once at school my son stuck his finger into a plastic ring from a computer mouse and couldn't get it off. The school nurse tried soap; it didn't work, so she called me and said I should take him to the ER!

I came in, got my son, walked him to the car, snipped the ring with a pair of pruners and walked him back. Talk about overreacting - and shouldn't a school nurse have a ring cutter?

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.
Stubbed little toe....arrived by SQUAD

"Fever" of 99.1, started 45 minute ago. No other symptoms.

Emesis x 1, small amount, 20 min PTA. No other symptoms.....So often I am left waiting for the punch line that never comes.

What is PTA....thanks.

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Specializes in NICU.
What is PTA....thanks.

Prior to admission?

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Specializes in Home Health-IV Infusion.

Had a patient shove an orange up his rectum and required a bowel resection and a colostomy.....smart move!!!:bowingpur

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Specializes in ER.

We use PTA for "Prior to Arrival"

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When I was in school doing my ER clinical, I heard an exasperated mother come screaming into triage that her 2-year-old had a "rare acute tropical rash" (Q: "Have you been out of the country recently?" A: "No, but we did go to Dallas last week.") developing on his hands and spreading rapidly up his arms. Her words.

Blue Crayola marker. Washed off under running water. No rubbing necessary.

:lol_hitti

Oh, I'm headed to the ER in a few weeks. I can't wait!!

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had someone come in by ambulance for verbal assault!!

You win!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

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Specializes in ED staff.

I may have already responded to this (haven't been here in awhile, and pardon me if I did).. I used to work with a doc who said that TSTL should be a diagnosis.... too stupid to live!

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How about diaper rash as a stupid reason to go to the ED?

My daughter, 2 months old at that time, had developed a terrible diaper rash. She was vocalizing every time she urinated and the rash was bleeding. I called the insurance line to see what I could do as far as comfort measures until I could get her in to see the doctor the next day. The guy was asking me questions as far as what was wrong. His suggestion: my baby needed to be seen within the next two hours at the nearest ED. Did I mention that this was Sunday night, December 23rd?

He was sort of insistent that the baby needed to be seen ASAP for... a diaper rash. You know, sometimes I may be a clueless, first time mom, but I'm not that much of a clueless, first time mom.

My little girl survived the night with airing her out, followed by loads of Desitin and lots of TLC. She was seen the next morning by the pediatrician who diagnosed a yeast problem on top of an infected diaper rash. Live and learn for this first time mommy, but there was NO WAY I was bringing my little girl into the ED for a diaper rash.

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