Dionysio Basco who plays Student Nurse Arpie in this episode has an older brother Derek Basco who also appeared in Will & Grace as Mipanko, one of Jack's boyfriends, in the Season 3 episode Fear and Clothing (2000).
The song Karen sings is the title song to the movie To Sir With Love. The movie stars Sidney Poitier. Karen's story of a strict teacher whipping her into shape is the plot of the movie.
Nurse Carver's dogs are named St. Elsewhere and Chicago Hope. Both are TV dramas set in hospitals.