Also known as: Head laceration
16-year-old male sex worker found beaten on the street after attempted robbery. Sustained concussion with initial loss of consciousness, requiring field intubation. Patient had spontaneous eye-opening and followed commands on arrival to ER.
Also known as: DVT
Patient developed leg pain after trauma, found to have blood clot due to underlying protein S deficiency. History of recurrent clotting episodes. Treatment complicated by patient's refusal of Coumadin due to street lifestyle and bleeding risks.
Underlying congenital clotting disorder causing patient's recurrent blood clots. Creates ethical dilemma as patient refuses long-term anticoagulation due to homeless lifestyle, leaving him at risk for fatal thrombosis.
Also known as: Blocked intestine
68-year-old male with history of abdominal surgery presenting with small bowel obstruction. X-ray showed air-fluid levels and stepladder pattern, requiring surgical intervention.
Also known as: Blood cancer
12-year-old with recurrent leukemia who relapsed after second round of chemotherapy. Presents with fever and sore throat. Carter manipulates admission diagnosis to get patient access to experimental immunotoxin therapy denied by insurance, creating ethical conflict.
Also known as: Rebar through spleen
Carpet layer impaled through chest by hand stretcher tool during car accident, with brothers stuck together by carpet cement. Tool penetrated heart causing runs of PVCs and SVT. Required emergency cardioversion and surgical repair.
Also known as: Low blood sugar
Elderly diabetic patient with blood sugar of 61 due to taking too much insulin after losing his home health aide. Required feeding and temporary placement assistance.
Also known as: Broken wrist
Teenage girl injured while attempting to break Guinness World Record by riding unicycle backwards. Part of pattern of injuries from record-breaking attempts with her father.
Also known as: Profound hearing loss
Peter Benton's infant son recently diagnosed as deaf. Episode explores debate over cochlear implants versus embracing deaf identity, with Benton consulting deaf physician who challenges his view of deafness as defect requiring correction.