Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Respiratory System
C8 · Applied Respiratory Physiology
C8.iii · Respiratory Adaptation & Critical Illness
Explain the effects on respiratory anatomy and physiology of the following: a. extremes of age, b. extremes of body size including obesity, c. pregnancy, d. critical illness including sepsis, cardiac, renal and liver failure, e. changes in posture including proning, f. exercise.
Written examination
SAQ history
Applied Respiratory Physiology — Ageing
1 exam appearance
Applied Respiratory Physiology — Obesity
2 exam appearances
Explain the effects of obesity on the respiratory system using the following headings:
a) Respiratory anatomy (15% of marks)
b) Lung volumes (20% of marks)
c) Respiratory mechanics and work of breathing (30% of marks)
d) Ventilation-perfusion matching and gas exchange (25% of marks)
e) Control of ventilation (10% of marks)
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Applied Respiratory Physiology — Pregnancy
3 exam appearances
Respiratory Physiology — Pregnancy Spirometry
1 exam appearance
Draw (include labels and normal values) a normal spirometry trace in a young adult (20% of marks). Describe the changes seen in the spirometry, and the respiratory system overall, in pregnancy at term (80% of marks).
50%
Cardiorespiratory Changes in Pregnancy
1 exam appearance
Describe the cardio-respiratory changes that occur throughout pregnancy (excluding parturition). Include in your answer the factors responsible for these changes.
57.8%
Oral examination
VIVA history
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2026A · VIVA 1
Relevant examiner prompts
Explain how the prone position may affect gas exchange in a healthy adult?
How might the prone position affect pulmonary vascular resistance?
How might the prone position affect respiratory system compliance?
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2021A · Day 1 · VIVA 4
This viva will explore your knowledge of maternofoetal physiology. This is a normal blood gas of a pregnant woman at term breathing room air. Outline the changes and explain their physiological basis. pH 7.45 pO2 105 mmHg pCO2 30 mmHg HCO3- 20 mmol/L BE -2
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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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2018A · Day 1 · VIVA 3
This viva will examine respiratory changes in pregnancy. The figure below depicts the expected changes in oxygen saturation when individuals are pre- oxygenated prior to intubation. Explain why pregnant patients desaturate so quickly. (Image removed from report.)
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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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2014A · VIVA 7
This Viva tested knowledge on respiratory physiology. It explored the spirogram, aspects of functional residual capacity, closing volume, the effects of obesity on respiratory function and alterations in pharmacology.
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2012B · VIVA 3
This Viva will examine maternal physiology and pharmacology. Write down the expected values in an Arterial Blood Gas for a pregnant woman at term. Subsequent discussion involved respiratory changes with pregnancy, including spirometry, pharmacology of drug transfer across the placenta, pharmacology of syntocinon and ergotamine.
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2011B · VIVA 3
This Viva relates to the respiratory changes of pregnancy at term, hypoxaemia and the foetal circulation. Q 1. Describe the respiratory changes in pregnancy at term. Subsequent questions sought a description of ABG at term pregnancy, physiological mechanism to explain an increased A-a gradient, causes of a low PaO2 in a patient with a normal A-a gradient, the response of hypoxemia to supplemental O2 when the A – a gradient is normal and when abnormal, and a description of the foetal circulation and the changes that occur at birth.
Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.