Code Black — CBS

Season 3, Episode 3

10 medical diagnoses portrayed

Also known as: CHF

Respiratory failureAcute decompensationDeath

Jose, Jesse's brother, is crushed by a shipping crate and presents with breathing difficulties. Initially thought to be trauma, echocardiogram reveals stage 4 congestive heart failure with ejection fraction less than 20%. He crashes and dies despite resuscitation efforts, becoming the emotional center of the episode.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Jose

Hemothoraxsupporting

Also known as: Blood in chest cavity

Respiratory distress

Jose initially presents with fluid in the lungs from the shipping crate accident, requiring bipap support. This is later revealed to be a manifestation of his underlying heart failure rather than pure trauma.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Jose

Forearm fracturesupporting

Also known as: Broken arm

Loss of radial pulseVascular compromise

Nora's arm is trapped under Jose when the shipping crate falls. She has no radial pulse due to the fracture. The team performs a field reduction by hyperextending and realigning the arm, restoring circulation.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Nora

Closed head injurysupporting

Also known as: Head laceration

Altered mental status

Steven is assaulted at a baseball game, suffering facial wounds and head trauma. He presents altered and minimally responsive, requiring CT scan and monitoring.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Steven Martinelli

Liver lacerationsupporting

Also known as: Liver injury

Internal bleedingHemorrhagic shock

Steven's CT reveals a small liver laceration from the assault. Initially monitored conservatively, he suddenly decompensates with bleeding requiring emergency surgery. Dr. Savetti performs direct suture ligation of a parenchymal vessel.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Steven Martinelli

Clavicle fracturesupporting

Also known as: Broken collarbone

Daisy sustains a left clavicle fracture after falling down stairs during the baseball game brawl while trying to defend her fiancé Steven.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Daisy

Pulmonary contusionsupporting

Also known as: Lung bruising

Respiratory failureHypoxemia

Daisy develops worsening respiratory distress from pulmonary contusions that don't initially show on x-ray. Her oxygen saturation drops, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Daisy

Vaginismussupporting

Also known as: Vaginal muscle spasms

P*nis captivus

Tina and her partner Brandt present with vaginismus causing p*nis captivus during intercourse. Treated with Ativan then propofol sedation to relax the vaginal muscles.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Tina

Penile fracturesupporting

Also known as: Broken p*nis

Potential erectile dysfunctionPenile deformity

After being released from the vaginismus situation, Brandt is found to have a ruptured corpus cavernosum (penile fracture). Dr. Campbell performs surgical repair using an inguinal scrotal incision and inverts the p*nis.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Brandt

Rib fracturesupporting

Also known as: Broken rib

CT imaging shows Jose has cracked ribs from the shipping crate accident, contributing to his respiratory distress.

Code Black — S03E03Patient: Jose