Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

Which of the following does not belong to complement?

1. Clinical biochemistry

2. Imaging methods

3. Plastic surgery

4. Nephrology

The correct answer is: Plastic surgery

The choice that stands out as not belonging to the complement of interdisciplinary fields in intensive care medicine is plastic surgery. The context here is understanding how various medical specialties relate to critical care. Plastic surgery primarily focuses on reconstructive and aesthetic procedures, which typically do not intersect with the acute medical management of patients in an intensive care setting. Although there may be scenarios where plastic surgeons work with critically ill patients (for example, in cases of severe trauma requiring reconstruction), their core functions and training are not centered around the principles of intensive care or management of complex medical issues that are usually addressed by other specialties like nephrology or clinical biochemistry. In contrast, clinical biochemistry plays a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring the biochemical parameters and organ functions of critically ill patients. Imaging methods are vital tools for evaluating and monitoring patient conditions in an ICU setting, aiding in diagnoses and treatment planning. Nephrology is integral to intensive care practices, especially related to the management of acute kidney injury and electrolyte imbalances, which are common in critically ill patients. Thus, plastic surgery does not align with the core critical care management practices that are more closely associated with the other disciplines mentioned.