Nurse Jackie asks, "Have you tried smoking pot?"

This week, a patient checks into Jackie's emergency department severely malnourished and dehydrated. Given the fictional hospital's Big Apple setting, could it be due to homelessness? Mental illness? Washington Square Park martyrdom?

Nope. Turns out he's an all-American stage three lymphoma patient and he's just completed his third chemotherapy treatment. For lymphoma, that's probably not even the halfway mark.

In other words, his cure is killing him.  Imminently.

While young Dr. Cooper runs through a litany of possible anti-nausea meds, the patient responds in kind with the side-effects that have already rendered each one intolerable to him. Finally, Nurse Jackie Peyton (played to perfection by Edie Falco) asks directly, "Have you tried smoking pot?"

The desperate --- and willing --- patient explains that due to his straight-laced lifestyle he would have no idea where to obtain such a solution.

Of course, the writers couldn't miss the chance to point out that in a different state this guy could get a prescription for the stuff quicker than Dr. Cooper could say "Pass the dutchie." And so, always walking the line between lawless rebellion and exceptional patient care, Jackie takes the apple into her own hands and helps a brotha out. Cue hinty episode title here:  "Apple Bong" Season Two, Ep 4

In other "Nurse Jackie" news, if you want to show your support for the show and spread the notion that "Doctors diagnose, nurses heal," you're welcome to do so with your morning coffee mug (Vicodin optional).  However, this mug comes with a disclaimer you probably didn't see coming (included below).

Huh.  Wonder what Nurse Jackie would say?  

 

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Available in the Showtime store: "Nurse Jackie is known for her sometimes unusual bedside manner. She may be tough, but her concern for her patients is always genuine. 

CA Proposition 65-California residents please be advised, as per the Prop. 65 Warning: The colored artwork or designs used on this product contains lead and/or cadmium, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm."