Also known as: Gunshot to the leg
16-year-old shot during a convenience store robbery. Bullet lodged in spinal canal at T12 causing left leg paralysis. Required abdominal surgery to repair small bowel injuries, followed by controversial decision about removing the bullet from the spine.
Also known as: Spinal cord damage
Bullet lodged at T12 vertebra causing hematoma surrounding the cord and left-sided hemiplegia. Major plot conflict over whether to surgically remove the bullet (risking paraplegia) or leave it in (accepting permanent single-leg deficit).
Also known as: Heart valve infection
IV drug user with bacterial endocarditis from contaminated needles. Treatment plan included long-term antibiotics via PICC line and Naltrexone to prevent relapse. Mother substituted clean urine to pass drug test, leading to severe withdrawal when Naltrexone was administered despite recent drug use.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Young woman in early recovery who had secretly relapsed one week prior. Mother helped her pass urine drug screen to receive Naltrexone treatment, which caused severe precipitated withdrawal including seizure. Patient ultimately left the hospital AMA.
Also known as: PEA arrest
Patient experiencing intermittent cardiac arrest with PEA rhythm after returning from a ski trip. Required continuous chest compressions to maintain circulation. Despite prolonged resuscitation efforts, patient died.
Also known as: Kidney failure
Young woman on dialysis awaiting kidney transplant who presented with syncope. Dialysis catheter was clotted causing severely elevated potassium (9.2) and other electrolyte abnormalities. Developed ventricular fibrillation from hyperkalemia. Maggie attempted to donate her kidney but was blocked by hospital administration.
Also known as: High potassium
Life-threatening potassium level of 9.2 due to failed dialysis, leading to cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation requiring resuscitation.
Also known as: Brain infection
Infant with congenital heart disease developed a brain abscess in the right frontal lobe from bacteria traveling from the heart. Required neurosurgical catheter placement and drainage. Patient also had a seizure and required intubation.
Also known as: Tetralogy of Fallot
Infant with pre-existing congenital heart condition that predisposed her to developing a brain abscess from bacteremia.
Also known as: Fainting
Initial presenting symptom for patient with end-stage renal disease and clotted dialysis catheter. Syncope was due to multiple PVCs and electrolyte abnormalities.
Also known as: V-fib
Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia caused by severe hyperkalemia requiring defibrillation and emergency treatment.
Also known as: Seizure
Precipitated withdrawal seizure caused by administration of Naltrexone while opioids were still in patient's system, despite falsified negative urine drug screen.
Also known as: Breathing failure
Infant with brain abscess developed acute respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation.