Ruth is a patient who came into the ER after ingesting a large amount of change.

History

Ruth had dementia and was living in a nursing home. She told Lucia Dazo that she wanted to go on a field trip and when Lucia said they didn't do that, Ruth swallowed $3.80 in change. Lucia brought Ruth to the ER, knowing they wouldn't be able to release her until she'd passed all the change and unwilling to take Ruth on frequent trips to the bathroom so she could pass them. They gave Ruth a mild laxative and collected her feces in a bedpan, counting down the amount each time she had another movement. Early the next morning, she had passed all the change and was ready to return to her nursing home. She asked Rollie for some ice cream before she left and he said he could make that happen.