Minor Emergencies

Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear), Acute

Presentation In acute otitis externa (AOE), the patient complains of ear pain, which is always uncomfortable and sometimes unbearable, often accompanied by drainage and a blocked sensation, decreased hearing, and sometimes fever. When the condition is mild or chronic, there…

Nasal Fracture: (Broken Nose)

Presentation After a direct blow to the nose, a patient may present with concern that their nose is broken. There is usually minimal bleeding. There may be tender ecchymotic swelling over the nasal bones or the anterior maxillary spine, and…

Mononucleosis: (Glandular Fever)

Presentation The patient is usually an adolescent or a young adult between the ages of 15 and 25 complaining of several days of fever, malaise, myalgias, and anorexia, culminating in a severe sore throat. The physical examination is remarkable for…

Laryngotracheobronchitis: (Croup)

Presentation A child, most often between the ages of 6 months and 3 years (peak incidence 1–2 years, rarely seen >6 years), arrives with a characteristic barking cough that sounds very much like the bark of a seal. The patient…

Foreign Body, Throat

Presentation Patients may present with the sensation of a foreign body (FB) stuck in their throat. They typically can still feel a sensation in the throat, especially (and perhaps painfully) when swallowing. They may be able to precisely localize the…

Foreign Body, Nose

Presentation Children frequently present after inserting foreign bodies (FBs) into their nares. They may report the FB, or the event may be observed. Sometimes, however, the history is obscure, and the child presents with local pain; a purulent, unilateral nasal…

Foreign Body, Ear

Presentation Children may present after placing small objects such as a bead, a small stone, folded paper, or a bean in their ear. At times, the history is not revealed, and the child simply presents with a purulent discharge, pain,…

Epistaxis: (Nosebleed)

Presentation Patients may arrive in the emergency department (ED) or urgent care center with active bleeding from their nose or spitting up blood that is draining into their throat from a nasal source. There may be a report of minor…

Cerumen Impaction: (Earwax Blockage)

Presentation The patient may complain of “wax in the ear,” a “stuffed-up” sensation, pain, itching, decreased hearing, tinnitus, dizziness, hearing aid malfunction, ear drainage, or ear odor. Symptoms may be sudden in onset if the patient put a cotton-tipped applicator…