Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Acid - Base

G2 · Acid Base Measurement

G2.i · Blood Gas Analysis

Official V5 objective
Describe the measurement and interpretation of the blood gas samples including: a. normal and abnormal arterial and venous blood gas samples b. relevant physiological and measurement factors or errors that can affect blood gas interpretation c. the role of base excess and standard base excess in blood gas interpretation
1 SAQ topic 2 SAQ appearances 27 VIVA stations

Written examination

SAQ history

2 appearances
Blood Gas Measurement
2 exam appearances
Describe how the values for PaO2, PaCO2, pH and bicarbonate are determined on a blood gas sample.
36%
Describe how the values for PaO2, PaCO2, pH and bicarbonate are determined on a blood gas sample.
23%

Oral examination

VIVA history

27 stations

Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.