Also known as: Manic depression
Abby's mother appears in Chicago after losing her job and apartment, struggling with bipolar disorder and medication compliance. Her illness drives a major emotional storyline as Abby confronts childhood trauma related to her mother's untreated episodes.
Also known as: Chest injury
Cyclist struck by minivan and pinned against pole, sustaining severe chest trauma with bleeding around the heart. Despite resuscitation efforts including thoracostomy, patient dies in the trauma room.
Also known as: DVT
Patient initially dismissed as drug-seeking presents with knee pain. Carter discovers DVT extending from popliteal to femoral vein on ultrasound. Patient leaves AMA and later suffers pulmonary embolism requiring thrombolytic therapy.
Also known as: Blood clot in lung
DVT travels to patient's lung causing severe hypoxia. Carter administers TPA against Kovac's objections, leading to clinical improvement and illustrating tension between attending and resident judgment.
Also known as: Brain bleed
Patient found in hospital supply room with severe hypertension, right-sided weakness, and combativeness, requiring intubation and emergent head CT showing probable brain hemorrhage, likely drug-induced.
Also known as: Breast cancer spread to kidney
Patient with end-stage breast cancer and spine metastases presents in severe pain unable to refill morphine prescription. HMO denies admission, highlighting systemic healthcare access issues.
Also known as: Third-degree burn
Hospital fire caused by crystal meth lab explosion results in burns to patient Mr. Thal (transferred to burn unit) and nurse Abby Lockhart who sustained burns and rib fracture during the evacuation.
Also known as: Broken rib
Abby sustains cracked rib and concussion during hospital fire/explosion while trying to evacuate patients.
Also known as: Brain cancer
CT scan reveals 3.5 cm mass in frontal cortex after Mark experiences aphasia episode and vomiting. Radiologist defers to neurosurgeon but implies poor prognosis, setting up major character health arc.
Also known as: Unplanned pregnancy
Elizabeth discovers she is pregnant after experiencing dizziness and vomiting during an intubation. Ultrasound confirms pregnancy, which she reveals to Mark at episode's end.
Also known as: Unplanned pregnancy
Chen's pregnancy is revealed to her parents during Thanksgiving, creating family tension when her mother learns the father is black.
Also known as: Neck injury
Referenced malpractice case where Elizabeth Corday's endoscopic back surgery resulted in patient paralysis, leading to lawsuit naming both Corday and Romano.