Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Respiratory System

C7 · Gas Transport and Diffusion

C7.i · Oxygen Transport

Official V5 objective
Describe the movement of oxygen from the atmosphere to the cell including detail on oxygen carriage in the blood.
3 SAQ topics 7 SAQ appearances 12 VIVA stations

Written examination

SAQ history

7 appearances
Oxygen cascade
2 exam appearances
Describe the oxygen cascade in a person breathing room air at sea level
63%
Describe the oxygen cascade, from the atmosphere to the mitochondrion, in a patient breathing room air.
Compare and contrast the carriage of oxygen in the blood with the carriage of carbon dioxide.
55%
Compare and contrast the carriage of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood.
50%
Outline the determinants of oxygen delivery to the tissues.
50.6%
Describe the carriage of oxygen in the blood, including total oxygen delivery per minute.
32%
Outline the determinants of oxygen delivery to the tissues.
61%

Oral examination

VIVA history

12 stations

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