Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Respiratory System

C2 · Control of Ventilation

C2.i · Control of Breathing

Official V5 objective
Describe the control of breathing and the factors that affect it.
5 SAQ topics 12 SAQ appearances 3 VIVA stations

Written examination

SAQ history

12 appearances
Describe the role of carbon dioxide in the control of alveolar ventilation.
57%
List the physiological factors which increase respiratory rate and explain their mechanism
22%
List the physiological factors that increase respiratory rate. Include an explanation of the mechanism by which each achieves this increase.
60%
List the physiological factors that increase respiratory rate. Include an explanation of the mechanism by which each achieves this increase.
Describe the control of breathing using the following headings: (a) sensors (50% of marks) b) controllers (40% of marks) (c) effectors (10% of marks) Include in your answer the location(s) and function(s) of each.
75%
Explain the control of breathing.
53%
Describe the control of alveolar ventilation.
42%
Explain the control of breathing
71%
How is alveolar ventilation regulated?
Describe the physiological factors that affect PaCO2.
33%
Outline the physiological factors that affect arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2). (Measurement factors are NOT required.)
39%
Describe the physiological factors that affect the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide. (Measurement factors are not required).
30%

Oral examination

VIVA history

3 stations

Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.