Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Thermoregulation
M2 · Temperature Measurement
M2.i · Temperature Measurement
Describe the measurement of body temperature including: a. methods of measurement – invasive and non-invasive, electrical and non-electrical, b. limitations and potential sources of error, c. usual values and variations.
Written examination
SAQ history
Temperature Measurement
2 exam appearances
a) Define the following: (10% of marks) (i) heat (ii) temperature (iii) specific heat capacity (b) Outline the principles underlying the different methods of temperature measurement using the following headings: (i) electrical methods (60% of marks) (ii) non-electrical methods (30% of marks) Your answer should include examples of each method and their advantages and disadvantages of use.
40%
Oral examination
VIVA history
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2023B · Day 1 · VIVA 1
This viva will examine temperature measurement. Define heat and temperature. What devices are used to measure temperature?
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2022B · Day 1 · VIVA 1
This viva will explore your understanding of temperature and measurement. What is the temperature and how can I be measured?
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2014A · VIVA 5
This Viva tested knowledge on the measurement of temperature, physical principles of flow and ionic changes across membranes.
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2011A · VIVA 2
This Viva will examine your knowledge about temperature and drugs that may affect temperature Q 1. Outline the mechanisms by which the body controls temperature The majority of candidates did well on this viva. Candidates were expected to know physiological mechanisms associated with defending against temperature fluctuations, sites of measurement of temperature, differences between sites, how NSAIDs reduced a fever and mechanisms of adverse effects associated with NSAIDs. Areas of weakness were failure to mention diurnal variation, thermoneutral zone and differences associated with neonates, newborns and children.
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2009B · VIVA 2
The initial information given to the candidates was – This viva will test your knowledge on temperature control and measurement. Candidates were asked about temperature and thermoregulation, various means of measuring temperature and metabolic rate and factors that influence metabolic rate.
Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.