Also known as: Collapsed lung
Ten-year-old hit-and-run victim develops tension pneumothorax requiring needle decompression. Carter correctly identifies the tracheal shift indicating the emergency condition.
Also known as: Broken leg bones
Type three tibial and fibular fracture with complete displacement from hit-and-run accident, requiring orthopedic consultation and additional imaging.
Also known as: Internal bleeding from torn intestinal blood vessels
Delayed presentation of mesenteric rupture following hit-and-run trauma. Patient develops abdominal pain, crashes in CT scanner, goes into asystole requiring emergency thoracotomy and cross-clamping of aorta. Dies despite resuscitation efforts.
Also known as: Cold exposure
Twelve-year-old boy trapped in flooded storm drain develops severe hypothermia with core temperature of 82 degrees. Experiences multiple episodes of ventricular fibrillation requiring defibrillation and advanced rewarming techniques including cardiopulmonary bypass. This is the central medical case driving the entire episode.
Also known as: Broken leg
Fracture to left lower extremity sustained when trapped in culvert, complicating his rescue from the flooded tunnel.
Also known as: V-fib
Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia induced by severe hypothermia, requiring multiple defibrillation attempts both in the helicopter and in the ER. Critical complication driving the dramatic tension of the rescue.
Also known as: Blocked airway
Complete airway obstruction preventing rescue breathing, requiring emergency cricothyrotomy performed by Doug Ross in the field using a pen.
Also known as: Facial cut
Significant facial laceration from hit-and-run accident requiring plastic surgery consultation, becomes a point of parental conflict.