ABSTRACT
Critical care is examined by direct viva and through written questions. An understanding of basic physiological principles is essential to competently answer the probing management-style questions. Which patients are appropriate to be referred to the intensive care unit (ICU)? Those that need advanced respiratory support. Those that need mechanical support of two or more organ systems. Those that need close and/or invasive monitoring of organ dysfunction. Those that need intensive nursing input (usually one to one). Those where the condition is potentially reversible. Severe sepsis is defined as sepsis associated with organ dysfunction, hypoperfusion abnormality or sepsis-induced hypotension. Multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (or multi-organ failure) is the presence of severe, acquired dysfunction of two or more organ systems in an acutely ill patient such that homeostasis cannot be maintained without intervention. Mortality is approximately 20% per involved organ system.
