Also known as: DKA
Construction worker brought in after falling at work site due to DKA complications from rationing insulin due to lack of health insurance. Central to episode's healthcare access theme.
Also known as: Posterior STEMI
Patient with chest pain initially not showing STEMI on standard 12-lead EKG. Whitaker's decision to perform posterior leads revealed the STEMI, and patient suffered cardiac arrest requiring defibrillation before emergency catheterization.
Also known as: Head laceration
23-year-old parkour athlete who fell 10 feet through skylight, presenting with altered consciousness and repetitive questions. Required intubation and imaging. Complicated by hidden glass fragment causing hemorrhage.
Also known as: Bleeding
Delayed arterial hemorrhage when medical student removed glass fragment from patient's flank during examination, requiring hemostatic sponges and IR consultation.
Also known as: Brain infection
Law student brought in by campus police after becoming violent and combative, requiring sedation and Taser deployment. Workup including lumbar tap performed to rule out viral encephalitis as cause of behavioral changes.
Also known as: Pneumonia from inhaling vomit
Young professional woman with cough and fever, X-ray showing right lower lobe infiltrate. Investigation revealed aspiration pneumonia caused by repeated self-induced vomiting from undiagnosed bulimia nervosa.
Also known as: Bulimia
Patient's aspiration pneumonia traced to eating disorder with self-induced vomiting that recurred after college breakup. Episode highlights underdiagnosis of eating disorders in Black women.
Also known as: Tooth abscess
Recurring homeless patient with apical abscess requiring incision and drainage, highlighting ongoing lack of access to dental care.
Also known as: Broken tailbone
Patient with fractured tailbone treated with manual reduction procedure to realign fragments and accelerate healing.
Also known as: Skin infection
Restaurant worker with foot cellulitis that failed to respond to oral Keflex, requiring return visit for IV antibiotics. Possible MRSA or resistant infection.
Also known as: Food poisoning
Pediatric patient with stomach pain and headache after taking ibuprofen on empty stomach, requiring evaluation for gastritis.