Also known as: Fainting
J.D. is diagnosed with vasovagal syncope that can cause him to lose consciousness when straining during bowel movements (valsalva maneuver). This condition is treated by reducing stress and becomes a running joke throughout the episode.
Also known as: Blocked intestine
Brian has a small bowel obstruction caused by scar tissue formation from shrapnel in his stomach from his time in Iraq. He requires surgical intervention, and there is tension over whether Turk or Milos will perform the surgery after Brian learns Turk was an average student.
Also known as: Broken thigh bone
A patient who was told by intern Brendan that it was his first time performing a spinal tap became anxious, accidentally inhaled helium, panicked, ran for the door and fell, breaking her femur. This case is used by Dr. Kelso to illustrate the consequences of being too honest with patients.
Also known as: Kidney failure
Mrs. Frank is mentioned as a patient in renal failure during Dr. Cox's teaching rounds with Turk. She is used as a background example in a scene where Dr. Cox is teaching about when to tell patients the truth.
Also known as: Pancreatic tumor
Dr. Cox references a patient with pancreatic cancer with poor prognosis when teaching J.D. about balancing truth-telling with compassion. The patient is used as an example of when it might be appropriate to provide hope despite a terminal diagnosis.
Also known as: Spinal cord damage
Dr. Cox mentions a paralyzed patient who needs to know the truth that recovery through physical therapy will be difficult and painful, using this as an example of when honesty is the right approach with patients.
Also known as: ED
J.D.'s neighbor Buzz is experiencing erectile dysfunction related to feelings of inadequacy after losing his job at Foot Locker. This is part of the ongoing storyline with J.D.'s neighbors and contributes to the tension between them.