Also known as: Life-threatening infection
Susan, who has cancer, develops septic shock due to her weakened immune system from chemotherapy. She requires aggressive resuscitation with fluids, dopamine, and antibiotics to stabilize her blood pressure.
Also known as: Blood clot in lung
Susan develops a large blood clot in her lung causing severe chest pain and difficulty breathing. She goes into cardiac arrest, but has a DNR order in place. Bizzy begs Addison to save her, but Addison honors the DNR and Susan dies.
Also known as: Rebar impalement
Lee McHenry arrives with a knife lodged in his chest after being stabbed by his girlfriend. The blade penetrates his lung tissue and is near his heart, acting as a stopper to prevent complete hemorrhage. Sam must wait for his blood to clot before operating to remove the knife. Charlotte, his rape victim, must decide whether to let Sam save him.
Also known as: Nerve damage causing blindness
Army veteran Lizzie has shrapnel lodged in her brain from an IED explosion, compressing her optic nerve and causing severe vision impairment in her remaining eye. Amelia performs surgery to remove the shrapnel, but the procedure fails and Lizzie becomes completely blind. Pete and Lizzie deceive the grandmother into thinking the surgery was successful to prevent her from taking custody of the baby.
Also known as: Baby stopped breathing
Two-month-old Natasha stops breathing and turns blue while being breastfed by her partially blind mother Lizzie. Amelia resuscitates the baby. The incident raises concerns about whether Lizzie can safely care for her infant given her severe visual impairment.
Also known as: Terminal cancer
Susan has metastatic cancer that has returned and spread. She is receiving chemotherapy which suppresses her immune system, making her vulnerable to life-threatening infections. She has signed a DNR order without telling Bizzy, and ultimately dies from complications.