Adult ICU Course

Lesson 1 • Fluid and Electrolyte Fundamentals

Covers fluid compartments, crystalloid versus colloid selection, and electrolyte imbalances common in critical illness. Supports rational fluid management decisions.

Lesson 2 • ICU Environment and Team Structure

Defines physical layout, equipment zones, and multidisciplinary roles in the ICU. Provides the operational context for all subsequent clinical skills.

Lesson 3 • Systematic ICU Patient Assessment

Teaches head-to-toe critical care assessment using structured frameworks. Builds the baseline evaluation skill used throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Haemodynamic Monitoring Basics

Introduces arterial lines, central venous pressure, and waveform interpretation. Connects monitoring data to clinical decision-making.

Lesson 1 • Weaning and Extubation Readiness

Presents spontaneous breathing trial protocols, extubation criteria, and post-extubation monitoring. Reduces ventilator duration through systematic liberation practice.

Lesson 2 • Pathophysiology of Respiratory Failure

Differentiates hypoxemic from hypercapnic failure using gas exchange principles. Provides the physiological rationale for all ventilatory interventions.

Lesson 3 • Non-Invasive Respiratory Support

Covers high-flow nasal cannula, CPAP, and BiPAP indications, setup, and monitoring. Prepares clinicians to apply non-invasive support before intubation is required.

Lesson 4 • Mechanical Ventilation Principles

Explains ventilator modes, tidal volume targets, and PEEP titration for lung-protective ventilation. Links settings to patient physiology and outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Arrhythmia Management

Addresses tachyarrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias, and cardiac arrest rhythms with pharmacologic and electrical therapies. Builds ACLS-level rhythm management skills.

Lesson 2 • 12-Lead ECG Interpretation in the ICU

Teaches systematic ECG reading for ischaemia, infarction, and life-threatening arrhythmias. Provides the diagnostic foundation for cardiac emergency management.

Lesson 3 • Shock Recognition and Classification

Classifies distributive, cardiogenic, hypovolemic, and obstructive shock by haemodynamic profiles. Enables rapid differential diagnosis at the bedside.

Lesson 4 • Acute Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock

Integrates diuresis, afterload reduction, and mechanical circulatory support for decompensated heart failure. Prepares clinicians for escalating cardiac support decisions.

Lesson 1 • Early Resuscitation Bundles

Details time-sensitive fluid resuscitation, blood culture collection, and early antibiotic administration. Links bundle compliance to improved patient outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Source Control and Infectious Foci

Identifies common ICU infection sources and the timing and methods of surgical or procedural source control. Reinforces that antibiotics alone are insufficient without source removal.

Lesson 3 • Immunocompromised Host in the ICU

Addresses unique infection risks in transplant, oncology, and HIV patients requiring ICU admission. Expands antimicrobial coverage decisions for atypical pathogens.

Lesson 4 • Antimicrobial Stewardship in the ICU

Covers de-escalation strategies, culture-guided therapy, and duration principles to minimise resistance. Integrates stewardship into daily ICU antibiotic management.

Lesson 1 • Intracranial Hypertension Management

Explains ICP monitoring, cerebral perfusion pressure targets, and tiered therapies for elevated ICP. Connects physiological targets to neuroprotective outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Status Epilepticus Treatment

Presents a stepwise pharmacologic protocol from benzodiazepines to anaesthetic agents for refractory seizures. Builds competency in time-sensitive seizure termination.

Lesson 3 • Acute Stroke Management

Covers ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke differentiation, thrombolysis criteria, and blood pressure targets. Emphasises time-critical decision-making to limit neurological injury.

Lesson 4 • Delirium and Sedation Management

Addresses ICU delirium assessment, ABCDEF bundle implementation, and sedation titration to minimise cognitive harm. Integrates sedation strategy with ventilator liberation.

Lesson 1 • Acid-Base Disorders in Critical Illness

Applies a systematic approach to metabolic and respiratory acid-base disturbances using pH, PaCO2, and bicarbonate. Links acid-base diagnosis to targeted treatment.

Lesson 2 • Diabetic and Endocrine Emergencies

Manages DKA, HHS, adrenal crisis, and thyroid storm with protocol-driven insulin and hormone replacement. Integrates endocrine emergencies into the multisystem ICU patient.

Lesson 3 • Acute Liver Failure Management

Covers coagulopathy, hepatic encephalopathy, and haemodynamic instability in acute liver failure. Addresses transplant evaluation and bridging therapies.

Lesson 4 • Acute Kidney Injury in the ICU

Classifies AKI by KDIGO staging, identifies prerenal, intrinsic, and postrenal causes, and applies nephroprotective strategies. Builds the foundation for renal replacement therapy decisions.

Lesson 1 • Anticoagulation in the ICU

Covers VTE prophylaxis, therapeutic anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation and PE, and reversal agents. Balances bleeding risk against thrombotic risk in critically ill patients.

Lesson 2 • Coagulation Physiology and Testing

Reviews the coagulation cascade, platelet function, and interpretation of PT, aPTT, and viscoelastic tests. Provides the diagnostic basis for all coagulopathy interventions.

Lesson 3 • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Explains DIC pathophysiology, scoring systems, and treatment of both thrombotic and haemorrhagic phases. Connects DIC management to underlying trigger treatment.

Lesson 4 • Haematologic Crises and Oncologic Emergencies

Addresses sickle cell crisis, TTP, tumour lysis syndrome, and hyperviscosity requiring ICU-level care. Prepares clinicians for rare but high-acuity haematologic presentations.

Lesson 1 • Central Venous Access Techniques

Covers site selection, ultrasound guidance, and sterile technique for internal jugular, subclavian, and femoral lines. Reduces central line-associated bloodstream infection through procedural discipline.

Lesson 2 • Tracheostomy and Airway Procedures

Covers percutaneous and surgical tracheostomy indications, technique, and post-procedure care. Extends airway management skills for prolonged ventilator-dependent patients.

Lesson 3 • Arterial Line and Pulmonary Artery Catheter

Details radial and femoral arterial line insertion and pulmonary artery catheter placement with waveform interpretation. Advances haemodynamic monitoring beyond basic CVP measurement.

Lesson 4 • Thoracic Procedures in the ICU

Teaches chest tube insertion, thoracentesis, and needle decompression for pneumothorax and pleural effusion. Builds procedural confidence for thoracic emergencies.