ER — NBC

Season 1, Episode 1

20 medical diagnoses portrayed

Also known as: Alcohol poisoning

Dr. Ross arrives intoxicated at the ER seeking IV fluids and treatment from his colleague Dr. Greene after a night of heavy drinking.

ER — S01E01Patient: Doug Ross

Traumatic amputationmajor

Also known as: Leg amputation

Loss of sensationLoss of pulses

Patient from building collapse with hand barely attached requiring emergency vascular and orthopedic surgery for limb reattachment.

ER — S01E01Patient: Mr. Wilson

Cardiac arrestsupporting

Also known as: Heart stopped

Junctional rhythm post-resuscitation

Female patient who arrests in the ER and is successfully resuscitated by Dr. Lewis after prolonged CPR and defibrillation.

ER — S01E01

Myocardial infarctionsupporting

Also known as: Heart attack

Patient in Room 5 being ruled out for MI with cardiac enzymes pending throughout the episode.

ER — S01E01

Peptic ulcer diseasesupporting

Also known as: Stomach ulcer

Gastrointestinal hemorrhageAcute pancreatitis

Eight-year-old child presenting with vomiting blood, diagnosed as first pediatric ulcer patient Dr. Ross has seen, attributed to stress.

ER — S01E01Patient: Billy

Open fracturesupporting

Also known as: Compound fracture

Patient from building collapse with exposed bone requiring orthopedic consultation, tetanus prophylaxis, and morphine for pain.

ER — S01E01

Gunshot wound to legsupporting

Also known as: GSW

Police officer who accidentally shot himself in the leg during a domestic dispute with his wife, requiring X-ray and surgical removal.

ER — S01E01Patient: Officer

Ectopic pregnancysupporting

Also known as: Tubal pregnancy

Thirteen-year-old girl with lower abdominal pain and missed periods diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy requiring emergency ultrasound and surgery.

ER — S01E01Patient: Miss Murphy

Otitis mediasupporting

Also known as: Ear infection

Pediatric patient diagnosed by Dr. Ross with middle ear infection, treated with reassurance to parent.

ER — S01E01

Penetrating traumasupporting

Also known as: Knife wound

Thirteen-year-old crack dealer shot five times by rival gang members, requiring emergency trauma surgery with security called due to gang threat.

ER — S01E01Patient: Tyrone

Lung cancermajor

Also known as: Lung cancer

HemoptysisWeight loss

Forty-year-old heavy smoker with density on chest X-ray, coughing blood, and weight loss; Dr. Lewis delivers difficult news of suspected cancer with 6-12 month prognosis.

ER — S01E01Patient: Mr. Parker

Barbiturate overdosemajor

Also known as: Sleeping pill overdose

ComaHypotensionDecerebrate posturing

Head nurse Carol Hathaway brought in after intentional overdose on barbiturates with alcohol; critically ill requiring intubation, hemoperfusion, and ICU care. This shocking event deeply affects the entire ER staff.

ER — S01E01Patient: Carol Hathaway

Penetrating chest traumasupporting

Also known as: Rebar impalement

Patient with knife wound to chest initially reported as gunshot wound, requiring emergency surgery by Dr. Benton.

ER — S01E01

Peptic ulcer diseasesupporting

Also known as: Stomach ulcer

Acute pancreatitis

Patient with duodenal ulcer and mild pancreatitis from party drinking and smoking; convinced he has cancer despite reassurance.

ER — S01E01Patient: Mr. Larkowsky

Child abusemajor

Also known as: Battered child

Skull fractureMultiple contusionsBurn scarsMultiple healed fractures

Infant with skull fracture, multiple old and new injuries, and burn scars; Dr. Ross confronts the attorney parents and calls Child Services in emotional scene.

ER — S01E01

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysmmajor

Also known as: Torn main artery

Intraperitoneal hemorrhageHypotension

Patient with known aneurysm who ruptures acutely; Dr. Benton performs emergency surgery as a resident when no attending is available, successfully stabilizing patient until Dr. Morgenstern arrives.

ER — S01E01Patient: Mr. Harvey

Diabetic ketoacidosissupporting

Also known as: DKA

Patient found blocking traffic in altered mental state, recognized by police as diabetic emergency and brought to ER for insulin and hydration.

ER — S01E01

Lacerationsupporting

Also known as: Cut

Patient with finger laceration from broken dish used to teach medical student Carter suturing technique.

ER — S01E01

First-degree burnsupporting

Also known as: Minor burn

College student with burns to legs from hot water splash, treated by Dr. Greene; patient makes inappropriate sexual advances during exam.

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Small bowel obstructionsupporting

Also known as: Blocked intestine

Surgical patient identified on abdominal X-ray requiring emergency surgery while other trauma cases are ongoing.

ER — S01E01