Also known as: Heart attack
Dr. Morgenstern is recovering from a recent heart attack, requiring nitroglycerin patches and lidocaine tapering. This prompts Kerry Weaver to take over his administrative duties as Acting Chief of Emergency Services.
Also known as: GSW to chest
Young male patient with GSW to the right chest requiring chest tube placement. Used as a teaching case for Elizabeth Corday's first penetrating trauma, with detailed discussion of bullet ballistics and wound patterns.
Also known as: GSW to chest
Female patient with GSW to left upper chest requiring intubation and chest tube placement. Elizabeth Corday runs the resuscitation, demonstrating her competence. Patient stopped breathing during treatment but was successfully stabilized.
Also known as: Brain cancer
Elderly male patient presenting with complete short-term memory loss and confabulation, initially thought to be psychiatric. MRI reveals a large brain tumor in the right thalamus causing Korsakoff-like symptoms. Del Amico must repeatedly tell him he's dying because he keeps forgetting.
Also known as: Korsakoff's
Patient presents with anterograde and retrograde amnesia with confabulation. Henry correctly identifies the lesion location and mechanism - damage to mammillary bodies and dorsomedial nucleus of thalamus. Later found to be caused by brain tumor rather than alcohol-related thiamine deficiency.
Also known as: MS
Patient initially presumed to be intoxicated based on presentation. Carter suspects something more serious despite low blood alcohol. LP shows pleocytosis and elevated gamma globulins, MRI confirms multiple sclerosis diagnosis, demonstrating the dangers of diagnostic bias.
Also known as: Bulimia
18-year-old female presents with syncope at car wash. Carol identifies eroded tooth enamel from chronic vomiting. Patient admits to bulimia with 6-month amenorrhea and electrolyte abnormalities. Eating disorders clinic has 7-week wait.
Also known as: Whooping cough
Young boy presenting with cough and fever, initially thought to be bronchitis. Due to language barrier and incomplete vaccination history, whooping cough is missed until patient develops respiratory arrest requiring intubation. Dr. Corday stabilizes the patient.
Also known as: Shared delusion
79-year-old woman claims her sister (who died in 1984) pushed her down stairs and tries to suffocate her with pillows. Identified as borderline personality with delusional features requiring psychiatric consultation.
Also known as: Premature baby
Benton's premature son is being weaned off ventilator after 3 weeks. Discussion of extubation timing and concerns about reintubation. Baby successfully comes off vent and parents finally give him a name.