Also known as: Rhabdo
Rick, a search and rescue worker pinned under debris in a mudslide, develops severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) with extremely elevated CK levels threatening kidney failure. He requires aggressive IV hydration to prevent renal shutdown.
Also known as: Inflammation around the heart
Joanna, a glamping trip chaperone, presents with ST elevations initially mistaken for MI but diagnosed as pericarditis with massive pericardial effusion requiring emergency pericardiocentesis to relieve cardiac tamponade.
Also known as: Measles
Joanna is diagnosed with measles (confirmed by Koplik spots) after exposing critical ED patients. The infection progresses to viral myocarditis causing complete heart block requiring emergency transvenous pacemaker placement. The outbreak stems from unvaccinated children on the camping trip.
Also known as: Ruptured spleen
Liz, a search and rescue worker from the mudslide, initially has a splenic laceration that suddenly ruptures causing massive internal hemorrhage and shock. She requires emergency splenectomy performed in the ED to save her life.
Also known as: Torn artery
Rick sustains a torn ulnar artery in his right arm from the mudslide crush injuries, with bleeding initially controlled by mud packing the wound.
Also known as: Blocked airway
Liz presents with significant stridor from mud debris caught in her throat after being found face-down in mud, requiring laryngoscopy and Magill forceps removal rather than cricothyrotomy.
Also known as: Knife wound
Drew arrives with a large branch penetrating his torso from the mudslide. The branch is surgically removed in the ED, fortunately having passed through soft tissue rather than the abdomen.
Also known as: Age-related vision loss
Oscar, a 50-year-old cab driver who crashed due to blurred vision, is diagnosed with macular degeneration causing progressive vision loss that will end his driving career.
Also known as: Broken nose
Oscar sustains a non-displaced nasal fracture from his motor vehicle accident, which will heal without intervention.
Also known as: Head laceration
Vince, an intoxicated man who fell while stealing bourbon, has a 5-6 cm scalp laceration and altered mental status requiring head CT to rule out intracranial hemorrhage.
Also known as: Alcohol poisoning
Vince presents severely intoxicated with altered mental status and slurred speech following a fall, ultimately dying from cardiac arrest despite resuscitation efforts.
Also known as: Heart stopped
Vince goes into ventricular fibrillation followed by asystole, requiring multiple rounds of epinephrine and defibrillation. After 40 minutes of resuscitation, he is pronounced dead, significantly impacting his son Mario.