Which term means multiple organ dysfunction syndrome?

• A. Sepsis
• B. MODS
• C. SIRS
• D. Anaphylaxis

Answer: (B)

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is the term for progressive failure of more than one organ system in a critically ill patient, where the body can no longer maintain homeostasis without intervention. It typically follows a severe insult such as sepsis, major trauma, pancreatitis, or shock, and arises from a widespread inflammatory response and impaired perfusion that damages multiple organs. That makes this the best answer, because it specifically denotes dysfunction across several organs rather than a single process. The other terms describe related but distinct phenomena: sepsis is infection with a systemic inflammatory response, SIRS is a broader systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and anaphylaxis is a rapid, severe allergic reaction.