Also known as: Dementia from strokes
Mrs. Pooler has bilateral lacunar infarcts causing progressive dementia affecting her ability to care for her 12-year-old granddaughter Ruthie. Social Services becomes involved to discuss potential foster care placement, creating the central conflict of whether to separate the family.
Lenore, who fell from a second-story window, was initially thought to have internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery. Morris discovers she has nephrotic syndrome from lithium use, causing ascites that mimicked surgical bleeding, preventing unnecessary surgery.
Also known as: Inflamed appendix
Steve, Sam's ex-husband and detainee, presents with abdominal pain initially dismissed as faking to get out of jail. His appendix perforates, causing sepsis and cardiovascular collapse requiring emergency surgery.
Also known as: Broken rib
Lenore sustained a left 10th rib fracture from her fall from a second-story window, contributing to her hypotension which was initially misinterpreted as shock from internal bleeding.
Also known as: Head laceration
Ruthie was evaluated for head trauma after crashing her grandmother's car at low speed while trying to pick up prescriptions. She required observation but had no significant injuries.
Also known as: Rape
A young girl in Darfur was treated for rape by female nurse Zahra, following local custom. This case illustrates the ongoing violence against women in the conflict zone.
Also known as: Food poisoning
An elderly woman in Darfur was too weak to walk due to vomiting and diarrhea, requiring home visit by medical staff. Dr. Dakarai also caught a stomach virus, highlighting the challenging medical conditions in the refugee camp.
Also known as: Broken nose
Ibrahim, the driver, sustained a possible nasal fracture when struck by a Janjaweed militia member during a roadside confrontation. Pratt examined him and found no septal hematoma.