Topics not Covered in previous SAQs

i. Describe the pharmaceutics and formulation of drugs including packaging, formulation, isomerism, compatibility, and excipients (additives) as they pertain to level 1 drugs.

i. Explain single and multiple compartment models.
v. Explain the kinetics of an intravenous bolus and infusion.
vi. Describe the concepts of effect-site concentration and context sensitive half-time.
vii. Explain clinical drug monitoring with regard to peak and trough concentrations, minimum therapeutic concentration and toxicity.
viii. Describe the pharmacokinetics of drugs in the epidural and subarachnoid space.

i. Explain the concept of drug action with respect to receptor theory.
ii. dose-response curves, graded and quantal response
iv. nucleic acid synthesis, regulation of receptor number and activity

vii. Outline genetic variability, mechanisms, and significance of pharmacogenetic disorders. (e.g., malignant hyperthermia, porphyria, atypical cholinesterase, and disturbance of cytochrome function).

iv. Describe the composition and control of intracellular fluid and the mechanisms by which cells maintain homeostasis and integrity.

F1. Anatomy of the Respiratory System
ii. Describe the structure of the chest wall and diaphragm and relate this to respiratory mechanics.
iii. Outline the anatomy of the pulmonary and bronchial circulations.

F3. Mechanics of Breathing
iii. Relate compliance to the elastic properties of the respiratory system.
iv. Describe the pressure volume relationships in the respiratory system.
v. Explain the concept of time constants.
vi. Explain the significance of the vertical gradient of pleural pressure and the effect of positioning.
vii. Describe the pressure-flow and flow-volume relationships of the lung.
ix. Explain the relationship between resistance and respiratory gas flow.

F4. Pulmonary Gas Volumes
iii. Explain the measurement of lung volumes and capacities.

F6. Ventilation-Perfusion Relationships
(Overall not covered much in SAQs but very important for VIVAs)
i. Describe the concepts of global and regional ventilation and perfusion and the factors that affect these.
iii. Explain ventilation-perfusion matching and mismatching. Explain the effect of ventilation-perfusion mismatch on oxygen transfer and carbon dioxide elimination.
v. Explain the concept of shunt, its physiological effects, and its measurement.

F7. Diffusive Transfer of Respiratory Gases
ii. Describe the movement of carbon dioxide from the cell to the atmosphere.
iv. Define diffusing capacity and its measurement.
v. Describe the role of endogenous nitric oxide in ventilation and perfusion.

F8. Gas Transport in the Blood
iv. Explain the carbon dioxide dissociation curve.
v. Describe the oxygen and carbon dioxide stores in the body.
vi. Describe the physiology of foetal haemoglobin

F9. Pulmonary Function Tests and Equations
i. Describe the measurement and interpretation of pulmonary function tests.
ii. Describe the carbon dioxide and oxygen response curves and how these may be used to assess the control of breathing.
iii. Understand respiratory equations that describe ventilation, perfusion, blood flow and respiratory mechanics.

F10. Applied Respiratory Physiology
i. Describe the physiological consequences of intermittent positive pressure ventilation and positive end-expiratory pressure.
ii. Explain the physiological effects of hyperoxia, hypoxaemia, hypercapnia and hypocapnia.
iii. Explain the effect of changes in posture on ventilatory function.

F11. Respiratory Pharmacology and Therapeutic Gases
iii. Outline the pharmacology of drugs used to treat acute pulmonary hypertension. (Only inhaled agents in Pharmacopeia covered)

F12. Respiratory Measurement
iv. Describe the principles of measuring oxygen concentration.

G1. Structure and Function of the Heart
i. Describe the anatomy of the heart including the chambers, valves, pericardium, and the orientation of the heart.
iii. Describe the structure and functional significance of the excitatory, conductive, and contractile elements of the heart.
iv. Describe the normal pressure and flow patterns of the cardiac cycle.

G3. Determinants and Control of Cardiac Output
i. Explain the Frank-Starling mechanism and its relationship to excitation-contraction coupling.
v. Describe and explain cardiac output curves, vascular function curves and their correlation.

G4. The Peripheral Circulation
i. Describe the essential features of the micro-circulation including fluid exchange and its control mechanisms.
iv. Explain the factors that determine systemic blood pressure and its regulation.
v. Describe the physiological factors that may contribute to pulse variations in blood pressure.

G5. Applied Cardiovascular Physiology
i. Explain the cardiovascular responses to changes in posture, hypovolaemia, a fluid bolus, anaemia, exercise, and aging.
ii. Explain the physiological consequences of intermittent positive pressure ventilation, positive end-expiratory pressure (see also F10 i.) and the Valsalva manoeuvre.

H4: Renal Measurement
i. Describe the principles of measurement of glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow.

I1. Physiology of Body Fluids and Electrolytes
ii. Define osmosis, colloid osmotic pressure and reflection coefficients and explain the factors that determine them.
iv. Outline the composition, circulation, and functions of lymph.

I3. Measurement of Body Fluids
i. Describe the regulation of osmolality and outline its measurement.
ii. Describe the principles of estimating body fluid compartments.

J1. Acid Base Physiology
i. Explain the principles underlying acid-base chemistry.
ii. Explain the physiological basis to clinical acid-base disturbances.
iv. Explain the Henderson-Hasselbach (traditional) and the Stewart (physico-chemical) approach to acid-base.

K1. Physiology of the Nervous System
i. Describe the anatomy of cranial nerves relevant to brainstem reflexes.
iii. Describe the anatomy and regulation of cerebral circulation.
v. Describe the major sensory and motor pathways (including anatomy) from the periphery to cortex.
vii. Describe the major neurotransmitters and their physiological role, with particular reference to excitatory and inhibitory amino acids (including those acting on the NMDA receptor), GABA, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin.

K4. Pain Pharmacology
i. Describe the pharmacology of drugs used to treat pain. (not all drugs in pharmacopeia asked before)
ii. Outline the classification, structure and distribution of opioid receptors and NMDA receptors.

L1. Musculoskeletal System Physiology
iv. Describe the relationship between muscle length and tension.
v. Explain the concept of motor units.
vi. Describe the monosynaptic stretch reflex, single twitch, and tetanus.

L3. Neuromuscular Measurement and Monitoring
i. Describe the monitoring of neuromuscular blockade.

M2. Pharmacology of the Autonomic Nervous System
ii. Describe the structure activity relationships of adrenergic and cholinergic drugs.
iii. Outline the mechanisms by which drugs may affect neurotransmission and noradrenaline effect at the sympathetic nerve terminal.

N1. Liver Physiology
ii. Describe the functional anatomy of the liver.

O1. Gastrointestinal Physiology
iii. Outline the digestion and absorption of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
iv. Outline the absorption of water, electrolytes, and vitamins.

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Q1. Physiology of Haematological System
i. Outline the physiological production of blood and its constituents.
v. Describe the mechanisms of preventing thrombosis including endothelial factors and natural anticoagulants.

Q3. Measurement of Haematological System
ii. Outline the methods for assessing platelet function and fibrinolysis.

Q4. Blood and Blood Products
i. Understand the pharmacology of blood and its components, including individual factor replacement.
iii. Understand the process of collection and production of blood and its components.

R1. Temperature Physiology
i. Define heat and temperature.
iv. Explain the physiological responses to hypothermia and hyperthermia.

S1. Physiology of Immunology and Host Defence
iii. Outline the non-immune host defences used to defend against infection.

S2. Pharmacology Related to Immunology

T1. General Microbiology
iii. Broadly outline the classification of viruses and fungi.

T2. Antimicrobial Pharmacology
ii. Describe the classification and pharmacology of antiviral and antifungal agents.

U2. Endocrine Pharmacology
iv. Understand the pharmacology of thyroid hormones.
v. Understand the pharmacology of mineralocorticoids.
vi. Outline the pharmacology of glucagon.

V1. Obstetric Physiology
iii. Describe the transfer of nutrients, drugs and gases between mother and foetus including the double Bohr and Haldane effects.
v. Describe the physiological consequences of changes in posture during pregnancy including the consequences of aorto-caval compression.

V2. Obstetric Pharmacology
i. Describe the pharmacology of oxytocic drugs.
ii. Describe the pharmacology of tocolytic drugs.

ii. Outline oxygen delivery devices (including high flow oxygen).
iv. Explain the electrical concepts of current, potential difference, resistance, impedance, inductance, capacitance, frequency, and amplitude as they relate to biological signals and biomedical apparatus.

i. Describe the anatomy relevant to central venous access (including femoral, internal jugular, external jugular, subclavian and peripheral veins).
ii. Describe the anatomy relevant to the insertion of an arterial line into a radial or femoral artery.
iv. Describe the anatomy relevant to the performance of endotracheal intubation, a cricothyroidotomy and a tracheostomy.
v. Describe the anatomy of the bronchial tree relevant to bronchoscopy.