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 ?

Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.
"thumbs loosing weight". :lol2::rotfl: "i slipped and fell on it" excuse for a foreign body in lady parts or rectum
:omy::grn::smackingf:no::barf02:

kathy

sharpeimom:paw::paw:

About "thumbs losing weight": I once read a book about a man who noticed that his grip strength was decreasing, and realized something was really wrong when he observed that the muscles below his thumbs really weren't there any more. His hands looked like a scoop had been taken out of that area.

He had ALS and died a few years later, in his 30s.

:o

Specializes in Emergency.
About "thumbs losing weight": I once read a book about a man who noticed that his grip strength was decreasing, and realized something was really wrong when he observed that the muscles below his thumbs really weren't there any more. His hands looked like a scoop had been taken out of that area.

He had ALS and died a few years later, in his 30s.

:o

WOW, nice downer, but I assure you this pt did not have ALS.

Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.
i triaged a complaint of "thumbs loosing weight"

ya know, that's really thumbthing... :grn::grn::grn::grn::grn:

kathy

sharpeimom:paw::paw:

Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
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?

This can be an emergency.

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

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

Top three:

3) 16 yof craving pickles for 3 days and wonders if she is pregnant. No other c/o.

2)58 yof trying on bras. The salesperson gave her one that was too small and now she has a mild abrasion where the buckle goes, between her breasts.

1) 19 yom was (shall we say) pleasuring himself without the benefit of lubrication and now his "special part" is red and sore.

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!

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
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.
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.

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 :eek:

Specializes in Emergency!.
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.

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