Syllabus · Historical · V4 (2023) · Variability in Drug Response
Variability in Drug Response
D.iii · Variability in Drug Response
Describe variability in drug responses due to physiological changes with reference to neonates/infants, the elderly, pregnancy, and obesity.
Written examination
SAQ history
Drug Response Variability — Ageing PK
1 exam appearance
Outline the pharmacokinetic consequences of old age. Illustrate your answer with examples.
53%
Drug Response Variability — Obesity PK
1 exam appearance
Describe the effects of obesity on drug pharmacology (70% of marks). Give examples of drugs that illustrate those effects (30% of marks).
36.4%
Drug Response Variability — Placental Transfer
2 exam appearances
Explain the factors which influence the transfer of drugs across the placenta to the foetus.
30%
Drug Response Variability — Pregnancy PK
3 exam appearances
Outline the changes to drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that occur at term in pregnancy.
7%
Oral examination
VIVA history
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2026A · VIVA 4
Relevant examiner prompts
How might the response to fasting differ in a neonate?
By what mechanism might a non-selective beta-blocker cause hypoglyaemia in a neonate?
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2025B · VIVA 6
This viva will examine neuropharmacology. Describe the desirable and undesirable pharmacological properties of ketamine when used to intubate frail elderly people in the ICU?
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2020B · Day 1 · VIVA 7
This viva will explore your knowledge of physiology and pharmacology in the elderly. Consider the respiratory system: Why does efficiency of gas exchange diminish with aging?
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2016A · Day 1 · VIVA 8
This viva tested knowledge of physiology and pharmacology changes of aging and in a more general discussion around opioid pharmacology.
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2009A · VIVA 6
This viva will explore your knowledge of the pharmacokinetics in two areas: 1. Alcohol 2. Ageing What is the pharmacokinetics of alcohol metabolism?
Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.