Also known as: Skin infection
A waitress presents with cellulitis on her foot that rapidly progresses to necrotizing fasciitis with septic shock, requiring emergency surgery. The case demonstrates the dangerous progression from a simple infection to life-threatening sepsis within hours.
Also known as: Flesh-eating bacteria
The cellulitis rapidly progresses to necrotizing fasciitis with characteristic 'dirty dishwater exudate' and gray fascia. Dr. Robby performs an emergency bedside tissue exploration to confirm the diagnosis before taking the patient to emergency surgery.
Also known as: Life-threatening infection
The patient develops septic shock with hypotension requiring vasopressor support (Levophed), elevated lactate, fever, and eventual respiratory failure requiring intubation.
Also known as: DKA
A patient with DKA requiring insulin drip faces financial barriers to ICU admission. The team finds a creative solution using subcutaneous insulin protocol on a med-surg floor to reduce costs while maintaining appropriate care.
Also known as: Severe constipation
An elderly patient in assisted living develops severe constipation from opioid use (Percocet for back pain), requiring manual disimpaction after failed attempts with stool softeners and magnesium citrate.
Also known as: TB
An unhoused woman with chronic cough is diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis with a cavitary lesion on chest X-ray. The diagnosis exposes medical staff including Dr. Santos, requiring contact tracing and isolation protocols.
Also known as: Stage 4 lung cancer
A home hospice patient with metastatic lung cancer presents after a seizure and sustains a pathological fracture of the tibia through a metastatic bone lesion. The case explores end-of-life care coordination with her death doula.
Also known as: Broken arm from weak bones
During a seizure, the patient with metastatic lung cancer sustains a non-displaced fracture of the distal tibia through a metastatic lesion, requiring immobilization and pain management.
Also known as: Seizure
A tonic-clonic seizure in a hospice patient with metastatic lung cancer, likely related to her advanced cancer. Treated with Keppra loading dose.
Also known as: Hit-and-run injuries
A prisoner sustains diffuse blunt trauma from an assault in jail, including being stomped on, resulting in multiple injuries requiring pain management and potential surgical consultation.
Also known as: Broken jaw
Fracture of the left mandible from assault, diagnosed using the tongue blade test and confirmed on CT, awaiting maxillofacial surgery evaluation.
Also known as: Broken rib
Three anterior rib fractures from assault, managed with a serratus anterior field block for pain control to improve breathing.
Also known as: Frostbite injury
A patient sustains a cold burn injury from attempted branding with dry ice, requiring wound care and debridement.
Also known as: Undernourishment
The prisoner shows signs of malnutrition with low albumin, low protein, and megaloblastic anemia, attributed to inadequate jail nutrition.
Also known as: Alcohol withdrawal
A patient presenting with alcohol withdrawal tremors is treated with Librium but later suffers cardiac arrest, possibly related to withdrawal complications.
Also known as: Heart stopped
A patient being monitored for alcohol withdrawal suddenly loses pulse and requires emergency resuscitation at the end of the episode.