Syllabus · Historical · V4 (2023) · Nervous System – Including Pain
K1 · Nervous System Physiology
K1.ii · Nervous System Physiology
Explain the determinants of intra-cranial pressure.
Written examination
SAQ history
ICP Monitoring — Determinants & Measurement
2 exam appearances
Discuss the determinants of intracranial pressure (80% marks) and outline how it can be measured (20% marks).
64%
Discuss the determinants of intracranial pressure (80% of marks). Outline how it can be measured (20% of marks).
55%
Intracranial Pressure — Pharmacological Control
1 exam appearance
Outline the mechanism of action of drugs used to control raised intracranial pressure.
20%
Intracranial Pressure — Physiology
3 exam appearances
Describe the physiology of intracranial pressure and the physiological mechanisms that limit a rise in intracranial pressure.
70%
Oral examination
VIVA history
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2025A · Day 2 · VIVA 6
This VIVA will examine neurophysiology and pharmacology. Explain the intracranial pressure-volume relationship.
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2022B · Day 2 · VIVA 5
This viva will explore your understanding of neurophysiology. Explain this pressure-volume relationship for intracranial pressure. (Image removed from report.)
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2019B · Day 2 · VIVA 7
This viva will assess your knowledge of the central nervous system. Describe the Monro-Kellie doctrine.
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2019A · Day 2 · VIVA 7
This viva is about intracranial pressure. Explain this pressure volume relationship for intracranial pressure. (Image removed from report.)
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2014A · VIVA 1
This Viva tested knowledge of hepatic physiology and aspects of cerebral physiology. It explored topics such as liver blood flow, the structural arrangement in the liver and moved on to determinates of intracranial pressure.
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2013A · VIVA 4
This Viva explored knowledge of intracranial pressure and sedating drugs.
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2011A · VIVA 4
This Viva will test your knowledge about intracranial pressure and cerebral blood flow. Q 1. What are the determinants of intracranial pressure? This viva explored basic and highly relevant area of CNS physiology. Candidates are expected to draw, interpret and explain the relationship between intracranial pressure, cerebral blood flow and variety of chemical and physiologic control mechanisms as they may be illustrated within graphs. Basic pharmacologic pharmacologic principles of ICP control were also discussed. Lack of knowledge depth and conceptual understanding were areas that need further attention.
Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.