Ep 7. Hypochondri-Cap
- November 13, 1976
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8.2 (62)
Emergency! season 6 episode 7 titled "Hypochondri-Cap" follows the daily lives of the doctors and paramedics working at Fire Station 51 and Rampart Hospital as they respond to various emergencies and medical calls. In this episode, the crew is dispatched to a call from a man who claims to have a heart attack, but when they arrive at his residence, they discover that he is actually a hypochondriac who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks.
The man, who goes by the nickname "Cap," insists that he is experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath, but after examining him, the paramedics realize that he is not in any serious danger. Cap's sister, who is also present at the scene, reveals that he has been to the hospital several times before with similar symptoms, but he has never received a concrete diagnosis.
As the crew tries to calm Cap down and convince him that he is not suffering from a heart attack, they receive another call from a woman who has fallen off a ladder and injured her ankle. Johnny and Roy rush to the scene and transport the woman to Rampart Hospital, where they discover that she is pregnant. The doctors are concerned that the fall may have caused placenta previa, a serious pregnancy complication, and they must act quickly to save both the mother and baby.
Meanwhile, at the fire station, the rest of the crew responds to a call from a man who has lodged his arm in a garbage disposal. They struggle to free the man's arm without causing further damage, and they must work under pressure as the man's wife becomes increasingly agitated and tries to interfere with the rescue efforts.
Throughout the episode, the crew must balance their sense of duty to help those in need with the reality that some of the calls they receive are not emergencies, but rather the results of anxiety, fear, and hypochondria. They must also navigate the challenges of maintaining their own mental and emotional health while dealing with the stresses of their jobs, as seen with Cap's panic attacks and the pregnant woman's potential complication.
Overall, "Hypochondri-Cap" is an engaging and suspenseful episode that explores the complexities of emergency response and medical care, showcasing both the physical and psychological challenges faced by those who work in these professions.