Also known as: Brain bleed
A school crossing guard initially dismissed as simply drunk presents with a head laceration. Despite initial observation, she develops a delayed subdural hematoma with coagulopathy, requiring emergent neurosurgical intervention. The case drives conflict between Abby and Clemente over management decisions.
Also known as: Internal bleeding from torn intestinal blood vessels
A 38-year-old man injured in a high-speed motor vehicle collision with a tear in the superior mesenteric artery causing severe internal bleeding. Neela performs critical surgical repair under Dubenko's supervision during the episode.
Also known as: Severe cold exposure
A 70-year-old man who fell through ice while playing hockey, presenting with core temperature of 86°F, altered mental status, and cardiac arrhythmias. Treated with peritoneal dialysis for rewarming and therapeutic hypothermia protocol, ultimately surviving.
Also known as: PCP
A 5-year-old boy with fever, cough, and bilateral crackles who develops severe respiratory distress. Testing reveals PCP pneumonia and profound immunosuppression, suggesting AIDS. The case involves major ethical conflict with the mother who denies HIV causes AIDS and refused to treat herself during pregnancy.
Also known as: AIDS
Underlying diagnosis in the 5-year-old with PCP pneumonia. Mother is HIV-positive but denies the viral theory of AIDS and refused antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy, resulting in vertical transmission to her son. The case highlights medical ethics and AIDS denialism.
Also known as: Blood clotting disorder
The drunk patient with head laceration has low platelets (98) and elevated INR (1.4), contributing to her delayed intracranial bleeding. Her coagulopathy, likely alcohol-related, complicates her head injury management.