Also known as: Bad back
Jackie's ongoing back pain is worsening, requiring cortisone shots and opioid pain management. She needs to see a spine specialist but her follow-ups keep getting postponed. O'Hara offers to prescribe oxycodone to help manage the pain until she can get proper treatment.
Also known as: Hair-pulling and hair-eating disorder
Grace is compulsively pulling her hair out, prompting Jackie to call her therapist for advice. This is presented as a symptom of underlying anxiety or stress that requires therapeutic intervention.
Also known as: Early dementia
Former NFL linebacker presenting with altered mental status and disorientation after being found naked at a grocery store. His wife reveals he has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, likely related to repeated head trauma from football. The case explores the devastating financial and personal impact of the disease, with his wife being advised to divorce him so he can qualify for Medicaid coverage.
Also known as: CTE
Implied underlying cause of Marco Prince's dementia, related to his career as an NFL linebacker. Multiple MRIs show extensive brain damage from repetitive head trauma sustained during his football career.
Also known as: Ruptured appendix
49-year-old woman presenting with lower abdominal pain and elevated white blood cell count. Diagnosed with ruptured appendix requiring emergency surgery. Patient is notably anxious about discovering she is pregnant.
Also known as: Seizure disorder
Jackie encounters a man having a tonic-clonic seizure at her building. His girlfriend reports he is epileptic but has never had a seizure before. Jackie provides emergency care and ensures he is transported to the hospital.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Eddie's history of substance abuse is referenced during his job interview, including incidents of coming to work drunk and requiring his stomach to be pumped. He is being rehired as the pharmacist despite this history.