Also known as: Heart attack
A clown aspirates a balloon at a children's birthday party, goes into cardiac arrest with myocardial infarction. Despite resuscitation attempts including heparin and dopamine, the patient dies.
Also known as: Heart failure
A 16-year-old with two prior heart transplants develops severe congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest. He refuses a third transplant despite being placed on the transplant list. Central ethical conflict about patient autonomy versus parental decision-making.
Also known as: Lupus
A bishop with lupus seeks steroid treatment for arthritis from the ER, hiding his full medical history including diabetes. Kovac discovers complications including renal insufficiency and possible pericarditis. Major subplot about end-of-life choices and continuing ministry versus accepting death.
Also known as: Diabetes
The bishop's diabetes is severely exacerbated by steroid treatment for lupus, with blood sugar reaching 348. His primary physician explains the steroids are destroying his organs.
Also known as: Inflammation around the heart
Bishop Stewart has non-specific EKG changes and a friction rub indicating fluid around the heart, likely related to his lupus.
Also known as: Mono
A young gay man presents with fever and is diagnosed with mono. This leads to HIV testing and counseling about high-risk sexual behavior with his HIV-positive partner.
Also known as: HIV risk
Jeff, a 23-year-old man, deliberately engages in unprotected sex with his HIV-positive partner Sean. Tests negative but continues risky behavior. Subplot addresses 'bug chasing' and relationship dynamics around HIV.
Also known as: Infection
An injection drug user had an abscess on her forearm incised and drained the previous day. Greene provides her with clean needles as harm reduction, sparking conflict with Weaver.
Also known as: Stopped breathing
The clown patient aspirates a balloon causing respiratory arrest, requiring intubation in the field.
Also known as: Difficulty finding words
Mark continues to experience word-finding difficulties and personality changes from brain tumor treatment. Weaver becomes concerned about his fitness for duty and considers requiring evaluation. This is a significant ongoing character arc.