Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Respiratory System
C3 · Mechanics of Breathing
C3.x · Work of Breathing
Define and describe the work of breathing and its components.
Written examination
SAQ history
Work of Breathing
2 exam appearances
(a) Describe the work of breathing and its components (85% of marks). (b) Briefly outline the efficiency of the lung (15% of marks).
29%
Oral examination
VIVA history
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2026A · VIVA 1
Relevant examiner prompts
This is a curve for a normal lung depicting work of breathing. How might this curve change with reduced compliance?
How might this curve change with increased airway resistance?
This is a normal graph of respiratory rate vs work of breathing. What changes would you expect to see for a patient with reduced compliance?
What about with asthma?
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2024A · Day 1 · VIVA 1
This VIVA will examine respiratory physiology. Define work of breathing (WOB) and discuss its components using the diagram below. (Image removed from report.)
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2023B · Day 3 · VIVA 5
This viva will examine respiratory physiology and pharmacology. Define work of breathing and describe the determinants.
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2023A · Day 2 · VIVA 5
This VIVA will examine respiratory physiology including work of breathing. What is described by this graph? (Image removed from report.)
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2022B · Day 3 · VIVA 5
This viva will explore your understanding of respiratory physiology. Using the diagram as an aid, define work of breathing and describe its components. (Image removed from report.)
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2021B · Day 1 · VIVA 6
This viva will assess your knowledge of respiratory mechanics. Using the letters in Figure 1 below, what are the components of the work of breathing? (Image removed from report).
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2017B · Day 2 · VIVA 2
This viva is about the physiology and pharmacology of work of breathing. Please explain the graph shown below. (Image removed from report.)
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2016A · Day 1 · VIVA 2
This viva tested knowledge of Respiratory Physiology. It discussed compliance, Functional Residual Capacity (FRC), Pressure Volume Loops and the work of breathing. It went on to discuss abdominal pressure, splanchnic blood flow and pharmacology of terlipressin.
Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.