Code Black — CBS

Season 2, Episode 16

6 medical diagnoses portrayed

Also known as: Hemorrhagic fever virus

Spontaneous bruisingBleedingLoss of mental capacityRespiratory failureMulti-organ failureDeath

A highly contagious viral outbreak quarantines Angels Memorial Hospital. The virus causes high fever, spontaneous bruising, bleeding, and loss of mental capacity with rapid progression to death within 48 hours. Multiple patients and staff are infected across two circles of exposure.

Code Black — S02E16

Airway obstructionsupporting

Also known as: Blocked airway

HypoxiaRespiratory arrest

Ariel loses her airway due to sputum accumulation from the viral infection. The team successfully suctions her airway to avoid intubation.

Code Black — S02E16Patient: Ariel

Aortic rupturesupporting

Also known as: Torn aorta

Cardiac arrestDeath

A patient awaiting heart transplant suffers an aortic rupture when the replacement heart cannot be delivered due to quarantine. He dies despite resuscitation attempts.

Code Black — S02E16Patient: Bill Chislett

Hyperkalemiasupporting

Also known as: High potassium

Ventricular tachycardiaCardiac arrest

Jeremy develops severe hyperkalemia with EKG changes and ventricular tachycardia as a complication of the viral infection. He requires peritoneal dialysis when no dialysis machines are available.

Code Black — S02E16Patient: Jeremy

Respiratory failuresupporting

Also known as: Breathing failure

HypoxiaCardiac arrest

Elliot develops respiratory failure from the viral infection with his lungs filling with fluid. Ariel assists Leanne with emergency intubation to save his life.

Code Black — S02E16Patient: Elliot

Hemothoraxmajor

Also known as: Blood in chest cavity

Cardiac tamponadeCardiac arrestHemorrhagic shock

Leanne is shot by a National Guard soldier while trying to stop a patient from breaching quarantine. She develops hemothorax with cardiac tamponade requiring emergency thoracotomy to repair a left atrial injury.

Code Black — S02E16Patient: Leanne Rorish