Code Black — CBS

Season 1, Episode 8

8 medical diagnoses portrayed

Also known as: Cold exposure

Cardiac arrestParadoxical undressingBrain dysfunction

Young male patient who capsized in a boating accident and was submerged for over two hours. Arrived pulseless with severe hypothermia (core temp 82°F), requiring extensive CPR and active rewarming until he could be revived.

Code Black — S01E08Patient: Killian Wahler

Splenic injurymajor

Also known as: Ruptured spleen

Hemorrhagic shockHypotension

After being revived from hypothermia, Killian developed life-threatening internal bleeding from a high-grade splenic laceration sustained during the boat capsizing. Required emergency splenectomy in center stage due to code black conditions.

Code Black — S01E08Patient: Killian Wahler

Hypothermiasupporting

Also known as: Cold exposure

Paradoxical undressing

Female patient from the same boating accident who was on top of the capsized hull. Presented with stage III hypothermia (temp 90.1°F) and exhibited paradoxical undressing, requiring immediate warming.

Code Black — S01E08Patient: Sophie

Femur fracturemajor

Also known as: Broken thigh bone

Vascular injuryCompartment syndromeHemorrhage into thigh

Displaced mid-shaft femoral fracture from the boating accident. The fracture sheared off blood vessels along the bone, causing severe bleeding into the thigh compartment. Required emergent reduction using a C-scope when the bone fragment became button-holed on a tendon.

Code Black — S01E08Patient: Sophie

Cervical spine fracturemajor

Also known as: Broken neck

Respiratory failure

Mother involved in auto collision who was transferred from another hospital. CT scan revealed cervical fracture requiring Halo fixation device and surgery. Later developed respiratory failure while in the Halo, requiring emergency intubation.

Code Black — S01E08Patient: Rebecca

Complete heart blockmajor

Also known as: Complete heart block

Cardiac arrestBradycardia

64-year-old HIV-positive patient presenting with exhaustion and shortness of breath. Progressed from third-degree heart block to complete heart block requiring transvenous pacing catheter placement. Ultimately went into cardiac arrest and died.

Code Black — S01E08Patient: Ted Banks

Ventricular tachycardiasupporting

Also known as: V-tach

Patient undergoing routine skin biopsy in dermatology developed ventricular tachycardia requiring defibrillation. Christa was called with the code bag to perform the emergency cardioversion.

Code Black — S01E08

Acute myeloid leukemiasupporting

Also known as: Blood cancer

Recurring character Dr. Carla is pregnant and has leukemia. Malaya organized a bone marrow drive to try to find a match, but Carla refused treatment to save her baby. This is part of an ongoing character arc.

Code Black — S01E08Patient: Carla

Recurring storyline