CHAPTER 66: 066 PNEUMONIA?

He wouldn’t overly involve himself in the operation on Uncle Jiang’s baby. It was a neurosurgery operation and had nothing to do with him.

The next day, he came to work just in time to clock in. He had underestimated the toll yesterday’s operation had taken on him. He estimated if he consumed another 10 Glory Points, he might feel a little better, but it seemed wasteful.

As usual, he first went to the colorectal department to help change dressings and complete his daily tasks. However, today’s gains were even more pitiful. The dressing change skill only increased by 387 points, while the anal fistula ligation skill didn’t increase at all.

Now he was counting on earning extra money tomorrow. Not only could he make money, but he could also complete his career change mission.

When he arrived at Wang Mingxing’s ward, Liu Banxia said with a smile, "Mingxing, your recovery is going very well."

"Doctor Liu, I’m just feeling sleepy. When can I be discharged?" Wang Mingxing asked.

"What’s the rush? You still have so many tubes in you; they all need to be removed slowly. You’re not thinking about a female classmate, are you? Be honest, who gave you that exquisite little gift on the side?" Liu Banxia teased.

"Doctor Liu, please don’t tease me, it hurts," Wang Mingxing grimaced.

"Oh, Doctor Liu is here! Mingxing’s spirits have improved a lot in the past two days, and I’m feeling better too." At that moment, Wang Lishan walked in carrying water.

"Have you been the only one watching over him here?" Liu Banxia asked.

Wang Lishan nodded. "I thought about hiring someone, but then I couldn’t rest assured, so I decided I could manage on my own."

"Alright, seeing Mingxing puts me at ease. Focus on recuperating. Your spirits are indeed good. You can’t rush recovery from this illness," Liu Banxia encouraged him again.

However, just as he reached the ward entrance, he meekly retreated. Zhou Shuwen, leading a large entourage, was just arriving at the doorway.

"Well, what a rare sight. Dr. Liu initiating rounds himself," Zhou Shuwen said, glancing at him.

Even Shi Lei, who was following, felt a little helpless. This guy’s luck is a bit off today, he thought.

"Director Zhou, one look at your vibrant energy today tells me yesterday’s kidney transplant was very successful. I actually just came over to take a peek first," Liu Banxia hurriedly said.

Zhou Shuwen glared at him. This kid is truly a handful. When I ran into him in the cafeteria yesterday, I had no idea he was stirring up trouble in Orthopedics again. I thought he’d merely participated in one surgery.

Shi Lei briefly introduced Wang Mingxing’s current condition, and Zhou Shuwen offered a few more words of encouragement. With that, this stop on the rounds was considered complete.

Moving to the patient in the adjacent bed, this time it was Qi Wentai who reported, "He underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy yesterday. This morning, his temperature rose, he’s breathing rapidly, and auscultation led to a diagnosis of postoperative pneumonia. We can switch his antibiotics for treatment."

Liu Banxia looked at the patient intently. So this was the cholecystectomy patient he had missed yesterday. What a pity! If I had been here, both these patients would have been mine. Maybe I could have successfully changed my specialty yesterday.

However, after observing the patient, he frowned slightly. There seemed to be something off about the patient’s breathing. While fever and shortness of breath are typical symptoms of pneumonia, wasn’t this patient’s breathing a bit too labored?

DING! Postoperative Fever Patient.

Open Task: Postoperative fever patient is suspected of having an underlying condition. Host is to make their own judgment. Task reward will be issued based on the diagnostic result.

Reading this prompt, Liu Banxia grinned. This isn’t even my patient, so how am I supposed to complete this task? My relationship with Qi Wentai is already incredibly tense; if I try to examine the patient myself, we’ll end up in a brawl.

"Liu Banxia, it seems you’re quite interested in this patient as well. State the main causes of postoperative fever," Zhou Shuwen said.

"Er... wound infection, urethritis, pneumonia, pharmacological reactions, thrombosis," Liu Banxia hurriedly replied.

Zhou Shuwen said nothing, merely looking at him.

Liu Banxia felt even more embarrassed. He knew Zhou Shuwen was testing him further, expecting a corresponding diagnosis. But he didn’t even have his stethoscope; he’d just come back from the colorectal department.

It was Shi Lei who helped him out, handing over his own stethoscope while shooting Liu Banxia a glare.

Taking the stethoscope, Liu Banxia listened carefully. He detected moist rales in the lungs. Observing the patient closely, he noted a high respiratory rate and that the patient was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Liu Banxia carefully examined the patient’s abdominal incision again, then took the patient’s chart from Qi Wentai. 39.2 degrees Celsius. That temperature is definitely not low, he thought.

"Director Zhou, I..."

"If you have something to say, spit it out," Zhou Shuwen glared at him.

"I don’t think it’s pneumonia. It seems more like a pulmonary embolism," Liu Banxia hurriedly said.

"Your reasoning?"

"I also just heard a friction rub in the chest. Observing the patient, he’s wheezing severely and has cold sweats."

"Are you sure?"

"I... I’m sure."

"How would you confirm the diagnosis?"

"Chest CT, lung ventilation scan, ECG, echocardiogram, blood gas analysis."

As they listened to the rapid-fire questions and answers, the atmosphere in the ward seemed to grow tense. From Zhou Shuwen’s stern expression, it was impossible to tell whether he intended to reprimand Liu Banxia or offer guidance.

Even Wang Lishan, standing nearby, grew anxious. He figured it was likely because Liu Banxia had snuck over on his own instead of joining the main group for rounds, thereby displeasing the director.

"Shi Lei, this patient is under your care from now on. Get the tests done." Staring at Liu Banxia for a moment, Zhou Shuwen added, "Keep an eye on *him*, and don’t let him cause me any trouble." With that, he turned and left.

Once those words were spoken, the accompanying doctors understood the situation. Wei Yuan even winked at Liu Banxia. This was intended both to teach Liu Banxia a lesson and to test him. Regardless of the initial purpose, in terms of results, it was a success.

Zhou Shuwen clearly agreed with Liu Banxia’s judgment that the patient might have a pulmonary embolism. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have ordered so many tests for the patient.

Many people present were incredibly envious of Liu Banxia. After all, this also meant Zhou Shuwen had taken notice of him; otherwise, there wouldn’t have been that initial "criticism" upon entering the room.

Among everyone there, only Qi Wentai seethed with hatred. Before leaving, he shot Liu Banxia a venomous glare.

This wasn’t the first time Liu Banxia had humiliated him. There was the ascites patient, the dressing changes in the colorectal department a few days ago, yesterday’s flesh-eating bacteria patient, and today’s cholecystectomy patient.

Especially today, in front of so many attending physicians and residents from general surgery, Liu Banxia had shown him up again! If Liu Banxia hadn’t been there, I would have definitely examined the patient thoroughly before reporting!

"Doctor Liu, your medical skills have improved again! You can diagnose an illness with just one look!" Wang Lishan said, sidling up to Liu Banxia.

"Oh, please spare me. I’m not that skilled," Liu Banxia said with a wry smile. "I need to quickly get this patient examined. If it really is a pulmonary embolism, it’s very dangerous."

Shi Lei gave him a helpless look. He really didn’t know whether to call this guy lucky or unlucky.