Also known as: Brain bleed
27-year-old bike messenger who sustained a head injury and open tibia-fibula fracture. Jackie recognized the subdural bleed but Dr. Cooper dismissed her concerns and ordered only a leg X-ray. The patient died from the brain bleed, becoming an organ donor. This death drives the central conflict of the pilot episode and establishes Jackie's clinical competence versus Cooper's incompetence.
Also known as: Compound leg fracture
The bike messenger's visible leg injury that Dr. Cooper focused on while missing the more critical subdural hematoma that ultimately killed the patient.
Also known as: Stabbing
19-year-old female sex worker with multiple stab wounds to arms, head, and chest inflicted by a client in a limousine. She was found dumped in the street with vital signs showing shock (80/45 BP, O2 sat 83%). She managed to cut off her attacker's ear in self-defense. This case introduces themes of violence and justice.
Also known as: Full-thickness burns
16-year-old male who sustained third-degree burns to his scrotum and perirectal area after shooting a Roman candle firework from his anus while intoxicated on alcohol and marijuana. Jackie uses this case to demonstrate compassionate care and takes a photograph as a cautionary tale for the patient's younger brother.
Also known as: Alcohol poisoning
The 16-year-old burn patient was heavily intoxicated on Hennessy, Hpnotiq, and marijuana ('cush') when he sustained his injuries, complicating his pain management.
Also known as: Choking on candy
A hotel guest is shown choking, and Jackie performs what appears to be the Heimlich maneuver off-screen while off-duty. The incident demonstrates Jackie's constant state of readiness and inability to turn off her nursing instincts.
Also known as: Back pain
Jackie suffers from chronic back pain, which is shown multiple times throughout the episode. She has a sexual relationship with the hospital pharmacist Eddie to obtain pain medications (Oxycodone, Vicodin). This establishes Jackie's ongoing struggle with pain and her methods of self-medicating, a central character arc.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Jackie is shown crushing and snorting pills ('sixteen grains, no more, no less') in the opening scene and requesting Oxycodone from Eddie the pharmacist. This introduces her opioid addiction as a major ongoing storyline and character flaw that contrasts with her competence as a nurse.