Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Gastrointestinal System
J4 · Gastrointestinal Pharmacology
J4.iv · Drugs in Liver Failure
Understand the pharmacology of drugs used in liver failure.
Written examination
SAQ history
No mapped SAQ history for this objective.
Oral examination
VIVA history
-
2026A · VIVA 3
Relevant examiner prompts
Why may we use terlipressin to assist in the management of variceal bleeding?
How does lactulose assist in liver disease?
-
2008B · VIVA 5
The initial information given to the candidates was - This station is mostly concerned with the pharmacology of drugs acting on the gastrointestinal tract. What is a prokinetic? This viva explored the candidates’ knowledge in relation to the following points Prokinetics, examples of prokinetics, mechanism of action, general pharmacology of metoclopramide GIT secretions Laxatives, mechanism of action of lactulose Octreotide, mechanism of action, general pharmacology, indications for use Examination feedback: This is an important, and potentially overlooked, area of clinical ICU practice. Candidates breadth and depth of knowledge for this important topic was lower than expected. In particular was mechanism of action of prokinetics, laxatives (of which most of the discussion centred around lactulose) and octreotide.
Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.