Presentation A patient presents with pain and redness around the piercing site. Upon inspection, there is erythema and some purulence coming from the piercing. The patient is afebrile and denies any other symptoms. Piercing complications typically fall into two categories:…
Presentation The patient presents after being stabbed or stuck with a sharp pencil point. The patient may voice concerns regarding lead poisoning due to retained pencil lead. A small puncture wound lined with graphite tattooing will be present ( Fig.…
Presentation The patient presents with finger or toe pain that has developed rapidly, either over the past several hours or over a few days. This pain is accompanied by a very red, tender swelling of the nail fold ( Fig.…
Presentation An employee presents for evaluation and treatment after an accidental needle stick injury to the hand obtained in the process of providing patient care. The employee requests postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). This chapter will discuss the risk of transmission and…
Presentation Although a needle could be embedded under any skin surface, most commonly a patient will have stepped on one while walking without shoes on a carpeted floor. In general, the patient will experience a sharp pain initially and complain…
Presentation The patient has caught a finger in a car door or dropped a heavy object on an exposed toe, causing a painful deformity. The base of the nail will be found resting above (on top of) the eponychium instead…
Presentation The patient has either cut into the nail with a sharp edge or crushed a finger (commonly in a door). With shearing forces, the nail may be avulsed from the nail bed to varying degrees, and there may be…
Presentation After coming into contact with marine life, the patient may seek medical attention because of local pain, swelling, or skin discoloration. While more common in coastal areas, envenomation can also occur from handling animals kept in saltwater aquaria. Marine…
Presentation Histories of animal bites are usually volunteered, but the history of a human bite, such as one obtained over the knuckle during a fight, is more likely to be denied or explained only after direct questioning. Dog bites make…
Presentation A patient presents with swelling of the lower extremity. It may be mildly painful, but there has been no trauma. The patient denies any fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or other systemic symptoms. Peripheral edema can be categorized in…