Also known as: Prolonged seizure
Patient presents with seizure activity lasting over 5 minutes in the waiting room. Treated with escalating doses of lorazepam (up to 10mg) before seizure activity stops, followed by Keppra loading. Creates tension between intern Santos and resident Langdon over treatment approach.
Also known as: Skin infection
Cyclist with infected leg wound from pedal injury 10 days prior. During debridement of what appears to be a simple hematoma, student doctor Whitaker accidentally lacerates a hidden arteriole under the blood blister, causing significant hemorrhage requiring suture repair.
Patient with sickle cell disease develops acute chest syndrome requiring exchange transfusion and ultimately intubation due to worsening hypoxia (oxygen saturation dropping to 84%). Major subplot involving patient's fear of intubation and the decision-making process with her husband.
Also known as: Bleeding after tonsil surgery
17-year-old male with delayed hemorrhage 10 days post-tonsillectomy. Initially stable after nebulized TXA, but experiences massive rebleeding requiring emergency retrograde intubation when standard approaches fail. Creates major tension when St. Michael's Hospital refuses to accept transfer. Drives climactic medical sequence.
Also known as: Schizoaffective disorder
Elderly patient with schizophrenia on risperidone who falls in the yard and sustains injuries. Her case highlights caregiver burden as her daughter Rita is her sole 24/7 caretaker and is experiencing severe caretaker fatigue.
Also known as: Upper arm fracture
Non-displaced fracture of left upper arm sustained in ground-level fall. Requires sling for 6 weeks and no shoulder mobility, which significantly increases burden on daughter as sole caregiver. Part of storyline about caregiver burnout.
Also known as: Unplanned pregnancy
17-year-old patient at approximately 11 weeks gestational age seeking medication abortion. Central ethical subplot involves potential falsification of ultrasound measurements to keep her under the 11-week legal cutoff, and ultimate revelation that her supposed mother is actually her sister, with her real mother refusing consent.
Also known as: Opioid overdose
18-year-old patient who took pills purchased online to help with sleep that were laced with fentanyl. Briefly mentioned as background to illustrate the ongoing opioid crisis affecting the ED and to warn Jake about drug safety at the concert.
Also known as: Head laceration
Good Samaritan patient with intraparenchymal brain bleed awaiting repeat head CT to check for extension. Sedated and intubated, with plan to lighten sedation if stable.
Also known as: Third-degree burn
Patient with foot burns from attempting to make s'mores over Sterno for her children. Case used to explore themes of poverty, homelessness, and struggles with parenting. Dr. King reveals his own history of addiction and relationship struggles while treating her.