B1.vii · Bolus vs Continuous Infusion

Official V5 objective

Compare the kinetics of an intravenous bolus dose (and dosing regimen) and a continuous infusion.

1 SAQ topic 1 SAQ appearance 3 VIVA stations

Written examination

SAQ history

1 appearance

Loading & Maintenance Doses

1 exam appearance

2009A Q10

Describe the calculations involved in determining the loading dose and maintenance dose for an intravenous infusion (50% of marks). What factors may affect these values in the critically ill (50% of marks)?

30%

Oral examination

VIVA history

3 stations

2026A · VIVA 7
Relevant examiner prompt

A patient has been on a 3-day infusion of propofol and fentanyl. Explain what happens to the plasma concentrations after the infusions are ceased?

61.5% successful
2026A · VIVA 8
Relevant examiner prompts

Explain why a continuous infusion of meropenem may be more effective than regular intermittent dosing?

Why don’t we give gentamicin as a continuous infusion?

71.2% successful
2019B · Day 1 · VIVA 2
This viva will explore the rate of administration on pharmacodynamics of sedative drugs. Would you anticipate a different response to an IV bolus of 100 mg of propofol versus a slow infusion of the same dose over 5 minutes?

85% successful

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