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 ?

I had one of those a few months ago. Came by EMS, not because it was cold outside, just plainly because he was cold. Lol I love signing up for (SOME of) these patients. They make the day amusing!

Specializes in ER.

"Why have you come to the emergency room this evening?"

"I want a sandwich."

Honestly, I had that one two nights ago.

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
"Why have you come to the emergency room this evening?"

"I want a sandwich."

Bonus points for honesty? LOL

Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
skylark said:
"Why have you come to the emergency room this evening?"

"I want a sandwich."

Honestly, I had that one two nights ago.

:roflmao: Yep, that one is so ridiculous it's funny.

Specializes in critical care.

I had a retired ED nurse as a patient the other day. She was feeling chatty as the moderate sedation was wearing off and morphine was kicking in. She shared a few stories with me, but the one that stood out the most? She had a young lady come in with a pants zipper stuck to her lips. I asked if the boy was still attached. She said no. :)

Specializes in Trauma ICU, Neuro ICU, Surgical ICU, ED.

Last week, I saw "I have a splinter," "my back has been hurting for three months," (that patient came in at 0300), "I am hungry, need help finding a job, and am tired of being homeless," and, "my right middle finger hurts." I work night shift, and most of these came in after 0000.

Specializes in ER.
Last week, I saw "I have a splinter," "my back has been hurting for three months," (that patient came in at 0300), "I am hungry, need help finding a job, and am tired of being homeless," and, "my right middle finger hurts." I work night shift, and most of these came in after 0000.

Yep, most know that the social worker leaves at 11pm, so after that they will arrive and come up with reasons to be in the hospital.

Meds compliance is a big problem here, a lot arrive in the middle of the night for a 'med refill', their meds ran out a month ago and they have a blood glucose of 500+, or a blood pressure roughly double that of the ones you see in the textbooks.

I've tried asking them to watch their meds and NOTICE when they are down to a month's supply, but it falls on deaf ears.

And its strange how they can never remember the name of their meds, but always know the brand of cigarettes they smoke : )

Specializes in Trauma ICU, Neuro ICU, Surgical ICU, ED.

My favorite from the other week was "someone broke into my house and stole my entire bottle of Percocet. They didn't take anything else. I need a new prescription for Percocet tonight. I'm in terrible pain."

They never take the atenolol ironically lol

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Something that is and isn't ridiculous: A 40 lb impaction. Is that even possible?!!!

Ouch!

Specializes in Aged care, disability, community.
Something that is and isn't ridiculous: A 40 lb impaction. Is that even possible?!!!

Is it bad that my first reaction when I read that was 'Holy crap"?

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