Minor Emergencies

Urinary Tract Infection, Lower (Cystitis), Uncomplicated

Presentation The patient (usually female) complains of urinary frequency and urgency, internal dysuria, and suprapubic pain or discomfort. The onset of symptoms is generally abrupt, often causing her to seek care within 24 hours. There may have been some antecedent…

Urinary Retention, Acute

Presentation Urinary retention is a common problem encountered in the emergency department. Acute urinary retention (AUR) presents as a sudden inability to voluntarily void. The patient, usually male, may complain of increasing dull, low abdominal discomfort or pain and the…

Urethritis: (Drip, Clap)

Presentation A man complains of dysuria, a burning discomfort along the urethra, pruritus of the urethral meatus, and/or a urethral discharge. A copious, thick yellow-green discharge that stains underwear is characteristic of gonorrhea, whereas a thinner mucopurulent or white scant…

Prostatitis, Acute Bacterial

Presentation A man complains of acute onset of malaise, fever, chills, and perineal, rectal, or low back pain. He also may have dysuria, urinary urgency and frequency, and signs of obstruction to urinary flow, ranging from a weak stream to…

Phimosis and Paraphimosis

Presentation Phimosis is the inability to retract the foreskin over the glans and is usually the result of a contracted preputial opening ( Fig. 81.1 ). Patients with phimosis may seek acute medical care when they develop signs and symptoms…

Genital Herpes Simplex

Presentation The patient may be distraught with severe genital pain, with subsequent outbreak of painful vesicles on the external genitalia that may ulcerate or erode. Alternatively, the patient may just be concerned about paresthesias and subtle genital lesions, may want…

Epididymitis

Presentation A male child, adolescent, or adult complains of dull to moderately severe unilateral scrotal pain developing gradually over a period of hours to days and possibly radiating to the ipsilateral lower abdomen or flank. In adult or adolescent males,…

Colorful Urine

Presentation Patients may complain of or be frightened about the color of their urine. Color may be one component of some urinary complaint, or the color may be noted incidentally on urinalysis. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree…

Blunt Scrotal Trauma

Presentation Blunt injuries to the scrotum usually occur in patients who are younger than 50 years of age as a result of an athletic injury; a straddle injury; an automobile, motorcycle, or industrial accident; or an assault. Patients present with…

Vomiting: (Food Poisoning, Gastroenteritis)

Presentation The patient typically seeks medical care 1 to 6 hours after eating because of severe nausea, vomiting, retching, and abdominal cramps that may progress later into diarrhea. Patients may present with a wide range of findings. Signs and symptoms…