Also known as: Stabbing injury to arm artery
A patient arrives with a stab wound to the arm from a carving knife, causing injury to the ulnar artery. Dr. Lawrence intervenes immediately to apply a tourniquet and control bleeding.
Also known as: Head laceration
A 28-year-old cyclist who fell off his bike after being cut off by a cab, with brief loss of consciousness (2 minutes). Becomes the subject of conflict between Dr. Greene (who ordered a head CT) and Dr. Lawrence (who discharged the patient after a thorough neurological exam).
Also known as: Collapsed lung
A 16-year-old male with a single gunshot wound to the left chest causing lung collapse, requiring chest tube insertion. Later discovered to be involved in a shooting incident when his cousin arrives with a gun.
Also known as: Breast cancer
A friend of the Carter family requiring mastectomy. The surgery is moved forward, and the episode explores her emotional struggle with the diagnosis and impending surgery. Dr. Corday performs the mastectomy successfully with no evidence of spread, awaiting lymph node pathology.
Also known as: Broken arm
A woman presents with a mid-shaft fracture of the radius, allegedly from falling off a ladder while hanging drapes. X-rays reveal old injuries including healed rib fractures and calluses, suggesting a pattern of domestic violence. Dr. Kovac places her husband on psychiatric hold to protect her.
Also known as: Ear infection
Reece, Peter Benton's young son, has an ear infection with fever (101°F), crying and tugging at his ear. Treated with Tylenol and amoxicillin.
Also known as: Sickle cell
A 12-year-old girl presents with sickle cell crisis (pain episode). During workup, she is discovered to be pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy requiring emergency surgery.
Also known as: Tubal pregnancy
A 12-year-old sickle cell patient is found to have an ectopic pregnancy (fetus in fallopian tube with heartbeat visible on ultrasound). Requires immediate surgery to prevent rupture and potentially life-threatening complications.
Also known as: Torn aorta
A 9-year-old boy involved in an MVA (SUV versus truck) develops sudden hemodynamic collapse during transfer to another hospital. Diagnosed with traumatic rupture at the junction of the subclavian and aortic arch from rapid deceleration injury. Requires emergency thoracotomy in the ER to isolate and repair the tear.
Also known as: Intimate partner violence
Pattern of domestic abuse identified through multiple ER visits across different hospitals showing healed rib fractures and current radius fracture. Dr. Kovac places the husband on involuntary psychiatric hold by provoking him to demonstrate he is a danger to others.
Also known as: Shock from blood loss
A 17-year-old with multiple gunshot wounds (3 to right chest, 1 to left) develops hemorrhagic shock with dropping blood pressure (down to 60 systolic). Dr. Lawrence uses a Foley catheter balloon to tamponade subclavian bleeding from inside, an 'old army trick' that stabilizes the patient for surgery.