Also known as: Brain death
Shannon suffered severe blunt head trauma from a motor vehicle accident resulting in brain death. She is being kept on life support while carrying a 16-week fetus, creating an ethical dilemma about whether to maintain her as an organ donor or attempt to bring the pregnancy to viability.
Also known as: Collapsed lung
Shannon develops a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) while on the ventilator, requiring emergency chest tube placement to maintain her life support.
Also known as: Heart failure
Lee Ann is a mother with severe cardiomyopathy who is Status 1A on the transplant list, desperately needing a heart transplant. She is being considered for Shannon's donor heart, creating conflict between the physicians about organ allocation.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Amelia's opioid addiction relapses during this episode. She quits her job, begins using prescription pills with a new acquaintance Ryan, attempts to steal prescription pads from the practice, and is caught by security. The episode depicts her actively using and in denial about needing help.