Also known as: GSW to chest
Adult female suffers a gunshot wound to the chest from random shooting, resulting in a bullet penetrating her heart (left atrium). Requires emergency thoracotomy in the ER and urgent surgical repair using purse string suture technique.
Also known as: Broken thigh bone
14-year-old male sustains open femur fracture in motor vehicle accident. The fracture compresses blood supply to the leg, and when reduced, causes significant arterial bleeding requiring tourniquet and transfusion.
Also known as: Spinal cord damage
Danny has a bullet lodged in his spinal canal at L2-L3 that is migrating to L5-S1, causing loss of feeling and sensation at the waist. Requires delicate surgical removal to prevent permanent paralysis. Successfully regains motor function post-surgery.
Also known as: Liver injury
Danny sustains a traumatic liver laceration from the motor vehicle accident, which is surgically repaired during the same operation as his spinal bullet removal.
Also known as: Kidney failure
Jessie's kidneys have suffered irreversible damage from a previous drug trial. She remains anuric despite being off dialysis and requires permanent dialysis or kidney transplant. Not eligible for transplant list until six months of sobriety.
Also known as: Bleeding after delivery
Young black mother suffers catastrophic internal bleeding six hours after C-section due to unrecognized bladder tear. Despite multiple warning signs (blood in catheter, hypotension, altered mental status), her symptoms are dismissed. She arrests in the OR and dies, highlighting systemic bias and failures in maternal care.
Also known as: Torn bladder
Iatrogenic bladder tear during C-section is the source of Lea's massive internal bleeding. The injury goes unrecognized for hours despite warning signs, leading to her death.
Also known as: Baby in distress
Pregnant patient in labor shows abnormal fetal heart rate, prompting emergency C-section to deliver the baby safely.