ER Visit vs. No ER Visit

Colette - posted on 03/01/2010

I used to be the same way... my 2 year old recently fell off a chair and dislocated her elbow... she's like a monkey...
but my husband was trained in the army as a medic, so I learned some basic checks, (as listed above by the rn)
and we watch them carefully... we have not gone to the ER for one of the boys in quite a while, now we have a cute little baby girl that's a wild as any of them!!
Just watch them is always best... and use your medical family members to ease your fears... if they don't get too worried, let yourself relax about it too.

Jesica - posted on 02/28/2010

I don't think you can ever be to cautious with your kids. I would call maybe the advice nurse and see what they say. If they say bring her in than bring her in. If it is very serious than use your mom gut and take her in.

Iridescent - posted on 02/28/2010

You're welcome! Even with training sometimes it's hard to decide whether or not to go in, lol! Some are pretty obvious, but sometimes it isn't.

Tasha - posted on 02/26/2010

Amy thank you so much. I'm like the only nonmedical person in my family and they all act like I should know this stuff. My husband is a retired firefighter and never flinches just looks and says shes fine. It's really helpful to have some guide lines. THANK YOU!

Erin - posted on 02/26/2010

I always call the doctor and ask. I think they get annoyed with me somedays but I always want to double check especially since it takes about 45 minutes to get to the doctors office. But so far we've only been instructed to come in once to see if my son needed stitches, which he did not but they still did a bandaged him up much better than I could've done :)

Iridescent - posted on 02/25/2010

I'm an RN and use a lot of the training at home. There are things you can look for that will help you.



Blood. Not a big deal in general! If a cut is deeper than a pencil eraser or further across, bring her in for dermabond or stitches. If it doesn't stop bleeding with pressure held to it, bring her in for an exam.



Teeth. If they're loose from a fall, bring her to a dentist as soon as you can so they can do whatever possible to save the tooth. If a tooth falls out from injury, put it in milk and bring her in, or put it back in the socket in her mouth (if she's not at risk of swallowing it) and bring her in.



Head injuries. Varies a lot. Does she speak normally? Can she answer questions ok? Is she suddenly acting strange? Are her pupils dilated evenly in both eyes and both constrict quickly with light shined in them? Can she squeeze your fingers with her hands with equal pressure on each side? Is there swelling (if not, still a concern) and how much? Head injuries (concussions) can take up to 5 days to show up symptomatically, so if you have ANY doubt, bring her in. If any of the answers to the questions are either abnormal for her or unequal from one side to the other, go in. Check every 15 minutes for an hour, then 30 minutes for an hour, then hourly for 4 hours. This is not just a bump on the head - this is more along the lines of fell off the deck or down the stairs (even if it's 2 steps).



Bones. Any redness, swelling, bruising, guarding, (in combination) go in.