A teenager presents at the ER with severe scrotal and abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea. He tells the nurse that he participated in a polar bear plunge in his community (jumping into cold water off-season)

Question

What conditions would the nurse suspect? A) Hydrocele
B) Phimosis
C) Torsion of the spermatic cord
D) Varicocele

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
Symptoms of torsion of the spermatic cord include an acute onset of sudden severe scrotal pain, vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea. Extreme cold, such as with jumping into very cold water, may cause torsion. With hydrocele, the scrotum enlarges; pain and swelling may be present. However, the client with a hydrocele is often asymptomatic. In a client with phimosis, the foreskin becomes so tight that it will not retract over the glans penis. Varicocele can cause pain in the testicle or pain radiating to the other side. Symptoms of varicocele include swelling and a nagging dull pain in the scrotum.