Also known as: Broken back with spinal cord injury
16-year-old ejected from car accident with L-1 vertebral fracture impinging on spinal cord, causing inability to move legs. Undergoes emergency decompression surgery with 50-50 prognosis for recovery of function.
Also known as: Full-thickness burns
16-year-old with 75-80% total body surface area third-degree burns from car fire. Develops compartment syndrome requiring escharotomy, laryngeal edema requiring intubation. Given only 20% survival rate. Speaks final words to parents before intubation.
Also known as: Liver injury
34-year-old woman with AIDS who crashes boat into dock and sustains penetrating abdominal injury from fishing pole, nicking her liver. Undergoes emergency surgery with successful repair and minimal blood loss.
Also known as: AIDS
Patient with AIDS on antiretroviral therapy experiences severe medication side effects including nausea and vomiting. Makes decision to stop all HIV medications to improve quality of life for her young son, accepting shortened life expectancy.
Also known as: GSW to chest
Woman in FBI protective custody presents with gunshot wound to chest. Bullet slowed by underwire bra and breast implant which ruptures. Develops pneumothorax requiring chest tube. Fake FBI agents remove her from hospital before she's stabilized.
Also known as: Broken rib
16-year-old driver of car in fatal accident presents with rib fracture and second-degree burns to hands from pulling friend from burning vehicle. Blood alcohol level 0.09.
Also known as: Superficial partial thickness burn
Teen driver sustains partial thickness burns to hands and forearms while rescuing friend from burning car after alcohol-related crash.
Also known as: Bug in ear
Woman presents in distress with cockroach lodged in ear canal causing pain and sensation of movement. Successfully removed after irrigation with lidocaine.
Also known as: Unplanned pregnancy
Carol is 15 weeks pregnant, experiencing normal second trimester symptoms. She becomes protective about radiation exposure and CMV exposure. She informs Doug by phone but he does not come to Chicago, leaving her disappointed despite telling him not to come.
Also known as: ADHD
Lucy reveals she has been taking Ritalin since fifth grade for ADD and continues to rely on it to function during her internship, particularly during night shifts. Carter confronts her about long-term stimulant use.
Also known as: Alcohol poisoning
Teen driver has blood alcohol level of 0.09 after attending pre-prom party where parents served alcohol, contributing to fatal car accident.