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The CAM-ICU, or the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit, is primarily utilized as a screening tool for delirium in critically ill patients. This tool is specifically designed to identify delirium among ICU patients by assessing features such as an acute change in mental status and fluctuations in consciousness. The importance of detecting delirium in these patients lies in its association with longer hospital stays, increased morbidity, and higher mortality rates. By screening for delirium early, clinicians can implement timely interventions to address this condition and improve patient outcomes.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the function of the CAM-ICU. It is not utilized for physical therapy or as a diagnostic tool for pneumonia, nor does it serve as a pain assessment scale. The specificity of the CAM-ICU in the context of delirium makes it a vital instrument in intensive care medicine, emphasizing the need for awareness and management of cognitive dysfunction in critically ill patients.