Also known as: Synthetic cannabinoid overdose
Krista Valdez presents to the ED after intentionally ingesting 12-14 sleeping pills. She receives activated charcoal via NG tube and is found to have underlying PTSD, chronic depression, and burnout from her work as a human rights attorney dealing with child soldiers. This is revealed to be a repeat suicide attempt, and she requires psychiatric admission.
Also known as: PTSD
Krista's PTSD stems from her work as a human rights attorney negotiating the release of child soldiers in the Congo. She has witnessed extreme trauma and violence, leading to chronic depression and repeated suicide attempts. The episode focuses on the challenge of getting her appropriate psychiatric care.
Also known as: Addison's disease
Brandon is a 17-year-old with known Addison's disease managed with prednisone. He passes out at a skate park with elevated blood sugar. The episode reveals he has been deliberately taking extra medication to fake diabetes symptoms in order to avoid being eligible for a clinical trial that would prevent him from attending college in London.
Also known as: High blood sugar
Brandon presents with elevated blood sugar (200) after passing out. Initially thought to be diabetes or medication-related, it is revealed he has been deliberately inducing hyperglycemia by taking extra sleeping pills to fake diabetes and avoid a clinical trial.
Also known as: Leg amputation
Sean is a 26-year-old motorcyclist involved in a collision with a car, resulting in severe limb trauma requiring a tourniquet in the field. Initially planned for completion amputation, Dr. Taylor successfully advocates for attempting limb salvage via reverse saphenous vein graft to revascularize the brachial artery.
Also known as: Shock from blood loss
Sean arrives intubated with significant blood loss from his traumatic arm injury, requiring massive transfusion protocol and emergency surgical intervention to restore circulation to the damaged limb.
Also known as: Hit-and-run injuries
Mya is a 38-year-old unrestrained driver who struck Sean's motorcycle. She presents with minor scrapes, bruises, and back pain, along with significant anxiety requiring medication. Her injuries are minor compared to the motorcyclist.
Also known as: Diabetes
Maggie has an episode of lightheadedness with elevated blood sugar. Dr. Yang reveals her labs show her blood sugar has been climbing over the past month despite adherence to her insulin regimen and healthy lifestyle. Her medications are adjusted to add an oral agent to reduce insulin resistance.