Also known as: Rebar impalement
Patient arrives with penetrating knife wound to right chest, loses pulse en route. Undergoes emergency thoracotomy with hilar flip procedure to control massive bleeding from pulmonary vessels. Successfully resuscitated after innovative surgical intervention.
Also known as: Irregular heart rhythm
Simulated patient case during training exercise where residents fail to recognize polymorphic V-tach (torsades de pointes) and miss the need for magnesium sulfate, resulting in simulated death. Used as teaching case by new attending.
Also known as: Abdominal fluid buildup
Patient with chronic liver disease from alcohol abuse presents with tense ascites requiring paracentesis. Has been tapped three times in past six months. Also has dental abscess.
Also known as: Tooth abscess
Patient presents with severe toothache from suspected root infection requiring drainage. Associated with tachycardia and shortness of breath.
Also known as: Confusion
79-year-old man found altered at assisted living facility with POLST orders. Develops cardiac arrest and dies peacefully per his wishes without aggressive intervention.
Also known as: Battered child
Nine-year-old girl presents with chin laceration and fractured tooth from alleged fall down stairs. Has multiple old and new bruises, history of frequent ER visits at different hospitals, and hematuria concerning for abuse. Undergoing evaluation for reportable injury.
Infant of unknown age (estimated 1-2 months) found abandoned in emergency department bathroom. Requires full sepsis workup to determine age and rule out serious infection given unknown birth history.
Also known as: Wrist fracture
Patient with wrist injury from fall, suspected scaphoid fracture requiring splinting and follow-up X-ray. Also exhibits confusion and memory problems during visit.
Also known as: Alzheimer's disease
Patient exhibits confusion, short-term memory loss, and disorientation during emergency department visit, concerning for underlying dementia.
Also known as: Early-onset Alzheimer's
81-year-old woman with Alzheimer's brought in after being found wandering in traffic. Spouse of patient who died in the department.
Also known as: Dislocated shoulder
Patient with open shoulder dislocation after pallet fell onto outstretched arm at work.
Also known as: Pink eye
Nun presents with severe conjunctivitis requiring culture and special lamp examination to rule out corneal abrasion.
Also known as: Marijuana overdose
82-year-old woman with intractable vomiting from consuming approximately a dozen marijuana edibles daily for chronic abdominal pain instead of prescribed medications.
Also known as: Benzo addiction
Physician in recovery from benzodiazepine addiction, returning to work after rehab. Previously stole Librium from a patient, which he confesses during this episode.
Also known as: Leg infection
26-year-old with leg laceration from bicycle fall requiring antibiotic treatment for infection.