YEAR 05 • ADVANCED CLINICAL

Anaesthesia & Critical Care

20 learning units • 100 chapter sections • 200 explained questions. Prepare patients for anaesthesia, recognise perioperative emergencies and understand organ support, critical-care teamwork and recovery.

Original RAHBAR study material for the Year 5 learning pathway. Clinical cases support supervised undergraduate learning. Treatment choices, doses and procedures must follow current local protocols and the responsible clinical team. References & further reading ↓

MODULE 20 / 20

Special Populations, Ethics & Recovery

Adapt perioperative and critical care to individual needs and plan a supported transition beyond ICU.

Quick revision ↓ Medical Dictionary

01Pregnancy and children

Pregnancy changes airway, aspiration and circulatory considerations, while children require age- and weight-appropriate assessment and equipment. Seek specialist support and use the appropriate pathway. Adult drug doses and resuscitation assumptions must not be transferred automatically to these groups.

02Frailty and multimorbidity

Frailty reflects vulnerability and should prompt assessment of function, cognition, nutrition and support needs. Chronological age alone does not define benefit from treatment. Discuss likely outcomes and burdens in relation to the person’s baseline, illness reversibility and priorities.

03Consent and treatment goals

Assess decision-making capacity for the particular decision and support understanding and communication. When the person cannot decide, follow the applicable legal and clinical process with appropriate representatives and team input. Document agreed goals and review them as the situation changes.

04Proportionate treatment

Discuss escalation and limits with patients or representatives and senior clinicians. A decision about CPR does not automatically mean stopping other beneficial care. Symptom relief, dignity and clear communication remain priorities whether the plan is recovery-focused or includes end-of-life care.

05Recovery and transition

Critical illness can leave physical weakness, cognitive problems and psychological distress. Provide a clear handover, medication reconciliation, rehabilitation goals and follow-up arrangements. Explain warning signs and available support, and involve family or carers with the patient’s agreement.

High-Yield Revision

Use population-appropriate assessment and equipment.
A CPR decision is not a decision about every treatment.
Recovery includes physical, cognitive and psychological needs.

Common Pitfalls

Equating chronological age alone with treatment futility.
Discharging without rehabilitation and follow-up responsibility.

References & Further Reading

Read the relevant guideline sections alongside these original clinical teaching cases. Local pathways, available services and individual patient factors determine care.

Reference review: 29 September 2026. Consult current local protocols for prescribing, procedures and escalation.