Also known as: MDR-TB
April's latent TB becomes active and is discovered to be multidrug-resistant, requiring treatment with a medication that can cause fetal neural tube defects, creating a conflict about treating herself versus protecting her pregnancy.
Also known as: Unplanned pregnancy
April discovers she is pregnant after her TB medications interfered with her birth control effectiveness. The pregnancy complicates her MDR-TB treatment as the only effective antibiotic can cause fetal defects.
Also known as: Kidney failure
Jim suffers from end-stage kidney failure requiring dialysis, which causes severe drops in blood pressure and cardiac dysrhythmias. His brother is HIV-positive and cannot donate, leading to discussions about an HIV-positive to HIV-negative transplant.
Also known as: Dialysis-related low blood pressure
Jim experiences extreme blood pressure drops during dialysis that prevent adequate oxygen delivery to his heart, causing life-threatening cardiac events.
Also known as: V-tach
Jim develops ventricular tachycardia during dialysis, leading to cardiac arrest requiring defibrillation.
Also known as: Aortic stenosis
Karina, a 16-year-old with Williams Syndrome, has severe aortic stenosis causing her heart to work harder and decreasing oxygen delivery. She undergoes heart surgery for valve repair or replacement.
Karina has Williams Syndrome, a genetic disorder causing cardiovascular disease and distinctive personality traits including extreme sociability and trust. The syndrome increases her risk of complications from general anesthesia.
Also known as: Esophageal tear
The prisoner swallows star-shaped earrings that lacerate his esophagus, requiring emergency surgery.
Also known as: Stab wound
Wallace, a prisoner, self-inflicts a stab wound to the abdomen to get a temporary respite from prison. The wound is cleaned in the ED.
Also known as: Malingering
Wallace repeatedly self-harms and feigns suicidal ideation to extend his hospital stay and avoid returning to prison.