Syllabus · Historical · V4 (2023) · Gastrointestinal System
O2 · Gastrointestinal Pharmacology
O2.i · Gastrointestinal Pharmacology
Describe the pharmacology of aperients, laxatives and drugs that affect gastrointestinal motility.
Written examination
SAQ history
No mapped SAQ history for this objective.
Oral examination
VIVA history
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2026A · VIVA 3
Relevant examiner prompts
Why would you use metoclopramide for this patient?
How does erythromycin differ as a prokinetic to metoclopramide?
How does lactulose assist in liver disease?
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2016B · Day 1 · VIVA 7
This viva tested knowledge of respiratory physiology including lung volumes and changes with obesity. It then went on to discuss physiology of the lower oesophageal sphincter and gastric emptying .It went to cover the pharmacology of metoclopramide.
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2013B · VIVA 2
This Viva explored knowledge of the physiology of swallowing and the passage of food through the oesophagus. It began by discussing the stages of swallowing, and then moved on to the cough reflex, the lower oesophageal sphincter and metoclopramide. Most candidates had a good knowledge of swallowing, but were less informed about the cough reflex and innervation of the larynx.
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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.