Also known as: Severe high blood pressure
Patient presents with severely elevated blood pressure (226/117) and palpitations. Initially responds to labetalol but later suffers cardiac arrest and dies. Autopsy reveals death was caused by a pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumor) causing excess epinephrine production.
Also known as: Adrenal tumor
Small adrenal tumor discovered on autopsy that was too small to show on initial scans. The tumor caused excessive epinephrine production leading to hypertensive emergency and ultimately the patient's death. This diagnosis resolves the mystery of the patient's death.
Also known as: Broken ribs
23-year-old HIV-positive patient suffers multiple broken and displaced ribs from motorcycle accident. Requires surgical repair with metal plates. Initially Dr. Latham refuses surgery due to HIV status creating infection risk, but Dr. Bekker agrees to perform the procedure.
Also known as: Life-threatening infection
Patient presents with body pain but rapidly deteriorates into septic shock with spiking fever and dropping blood pressure. Sepsis likely originated from kidney or urinary tract infection. Results in acute renal failure requiring dialysis and possible kidney transplant.
Also known as: Kidney failure
Develops as a complication of septic shock. Patient requires immediate dialysis and faces likely need for kidney transplant. Maggie feels responsible for not recognizing the severity of the initial presentation.
Also known as: Colorectal cancer
Patient with stage three malignant colon tumor undergoing chemotherapy presents with seizures. Initially suspected of faking illness (Munchausen syndrome), but medical records confirm legitimate advanced cancer with poor prognosis. Patient has been hiding the severity from his girlfriend.
Also known as: Seizure
Patient experiences two seizures during the episode. Initially suspected to be fabricated to control girlfriend, but ultimately determined to be legitimate complications related to his advanced colon cancer.
Also known as: Accidental cut during surgery
Dr. Bekker suffers a scalpel cut during surgery on HIV-positive patient. Required to start antiretroviral medications immediately and be taken off surgical rotation. Creates tension between her and Dr. Rhodes, as the accident occurs during their strained relationship.