Also known as: Heart attack
Patient presents with chest pain relieved by nitro spray, has history of prior myocardial infarction. Treated for acute coronary syndrome.
Also known as: Schizoaffective disorder
Patient presents with acute psychosis after overdosing on Mellaril. Exhibits paranoid delusions about surveillance and neural pattern monitoring. Requires restraints and Haldol, eventually escapes from the ER.
Also known as: Kidney injury from bus accident
MVA victim with prolonged extraction, intubated for LOC. Develops tension pneumothorax and intraperitoneal hemorrhage requiring emergency intervention. Conflict arises over quality of paramedic intubation.
Also known as: Collapsed lung
Complication in trauma patient with decreased breath sounds on right, tracheal shift. Requires emergent chest tube placement. Creates conflict between Susan and Chuck over paramedic intubation quality.
Patient initially misdiagnosed, returns septic with fever of 39.8°C, white count of 22, and hypotension. Romano performs ultrasound-guided drainage in ER, but incomplete drainage requires open laparotomy by Corday. Central to conflict between Romano and Corday over bed management and proper surgical care.
26-year-old initially dismissed by Romano as simple sore throat returns in severe respiratory distress with stridor and hypoxia. Requires emergency cricothyroidotomy. Serves as teaching point about importance of thorough examination and consequences of premature discharge.
Also known as: V-fib
Elderly cardiac patient codes and goes into V-fib. Carter runs prolonged resuscitation (25+ minutes) with multiple shocks and drugs, ultimately achieving return of spontaneous circulation but with poor neurologic prognosis. Code interrupted by news of Carter's grandmother's death.
Also known as: Manic depression
Abby's brother is off his medications and missing. She must leave Chicago to retrieve him from Iowa, highlighting the ongoing family burden of mental illness. Romano writes prescription for Depakote and Zyprexa.
Also known as: Flesh-eating bacteria
Romano has ongoing necrotic wound from his arm reattachment being followed by multiple services (Gunn, Plastics, Ortho, Hand, ID). Weaver suggests consideration of amputation as definitive treatment, which Romano refuses.
Also known as: CHF
Patient with history of CHF presents with wet crackles, noncompliant with meds and diet. Used as teaching case for medical students.
Patient with positive Dix-Hallpike test and normal cerebellar function. Used as teaching case for medical students, treated with Compazine and Valium.
Patient with history of rheumatoid arthritis presents with knee pain, no trauma. Students diagnose ruptured Baker cyst via ultrasound, treated with ibuprofen.