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 NA, Stepdown, L&D, Trauma ICU, ER.
menstrual cramps... not because of endometriosis or anything like that, just plain old menstrual cramps...

Ok, I gotta confess... I did that once. Lemme explain. Years ago I had a miscarriage at 10 weeks. Wasn't quite ready for the D&C, so I waited a few days, had the worst cramps of my life, and well... it took care of itself. I had a few normal periods, and then one with cramps worse than the miscarriage. I didn't have a clue what was wrong with me, if I had endo or something, if I was having another one. I went to the ER because they hurt so bad I couldn't breathe :o Maybe it sounds silly, but that was seriously the worst pain of my life

Specializes in everywhere.

these stories are so great! Keep them coming! I don't have any cool ER stories to add (I work Pediatrics), but I do have a few about parents. I love this thread

Coming in with gum in your hair, chipped acrylic nails, or a hangover is funny stuff. Homeless folks coming in for meals and a place to sleep, that's just sad.

I had a patient who was in a car accident and requested to be transported to the ER by ambulance. When he arrived, the paramedic told me that this guy had "no complaint." I asked, so why is he here? The patient had no reason at all. I'm still scratching my head on why he wanted to go to the ER! :-)

we get this all the time. Running nose, others want their wounds dressed at 2 am coz they have an important meeting the whole day so they won,t make it for their appointment. last night someone came for a HIV test because he had hugged 2 girls!!!!!!!!! Someboby tell me, has hugging changed its meaning?

Kidney stone = real pain......real pain = emergency -----do not hesitate

These stories are really GOOD, but it reminds me of something.

As nurses, having seen this kind of abuse, and knowing how crowded and busy ER's are; we may hesitate to seek care.

I woke up one morning with the WORST abdominal pain. Definitley 10/10.

Said nothing to my husband, sure it was gas.

2 hours go by, no toileting, change of position, antacids are working.

Call to my primary, described the problem. He tells me, "get to the ER NOW!

My reply: "Isn't that a little dramatic?".(Heck, I'm not having a heart attack or a stroke, isn't that what ER's are for, I'm thinking?).

He: Get here now!"

So, I call hubby, get him to drive me, and it turns out that I have a ruptured ovarian cyst, COULD have bled to death; and and was admitted for 24 hours to R/O surgery.

So, don't hesitate to seek the care you or your loved ones need just because you think the ER'S are full of crocks and the docs should'nt be bothered with li'l ol' compentent you.

I have heard that passing an kidney stone is compared to having a 10# baby without an epidural- I would say that would be an emergency-

Specializes in ED-CEN/PACU/Flight.
I have heard that passing an kidney stone is compared to having a 10# baby without an epidural- I would say that would be an emergency-

I can certainly empathize with my kidney stone patients! I've had 3 kids (naturally - and I think I'm a wuss) and 3 surgeries for stones. Let's just say I'd rather have 8 more children (all at the same time coming out sideways), naturally, while eating a plate full of glass and nails.

And I love it when they come in "to be seen"; when you ask what is wrong - "nothing, just needed a checkup!"

I posted this on the main board a few weeks ago.....a 16-yr-old girl was brought into the ER by her mother because (I kid you not) "I'm scared of big dogs."

My favorite....

"I just want to get checked out". Checked out for what?

This is ussually stated post minor MVC, fall, child falling off couch onto carpet, tumbling off a bike, doing new drugs, having 'relations' with people one is unsure of, etc..... and the conversation will often go like this...

"I just want to get (add a 'my son or daughter)checked out."

RN--"does it hurt anywhere, do you feel unwell?"

"no"

VSS, good colour, ambulatory etc. How do you triage this? What do they want us to check? Would a family doctor or phone line not be more appropiate? I once had a lady bring both her very well looking, playful children in to be 'checked out' after they might have had a drink of a puddle that was on the road a few hours earlier--she wanted us to pump their stomachs!!!!!

HERE'S YOUR CHECK---GO HOME!!!!!

LOL....

I once had a lady bring both her very well looking, playful children in to be 'checked out' after they might have had a drink of a puddle that was on the road a few hours earlier--she wanted us to pump their stomachs!!!!!

Shoulda pumped her stomach and then asked her, "Do you really want me to put your children through this??"

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