VIVAs · 2012B

2012 Second Sitting VIVAs

8 VIVA stations from the CICM examiner report for this sitting. Examiner wording, report provenance and reported performance data are preserved.

View 2012B SAQs →

Exam outcomes

68% (15/22)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ
87% (13/15)Oral pass · VIVAs
59.1% (13/22)*Overall pass · CICMWrecks-derived
How passing worked

Written pass: candidates successful in both written components (MCQ + SAQ) and progressing to the oral examination, divided by candidates presenting for the written examination.

Oral pass: candidates successful after the oral component, divided by candidates sitting the oral examination. The First Part oral component consists of VIVAs.

* Overall pass: a CICMWrecks-derived contextual figure: final successful candidates ÷ (candidates presenting for the written examination + candidates carrying a written pass). It is not a CICM-reported pass percentage.

VIVA stations

2012B

VIVA 1

Measurement and Interpretation of Blood Gases and Respiratory Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This Viva will explore knowledge of the measurement and interpretation of Blood Gases and respiratory pharmacology. Subsequent discussion involved understanding differences between hypoxia and hypoxaemia, the Clark electrode, physiological mechanisms of hypoxaemia, asthma and bronchodilators
Current · V5 (2025) C10.iii · primary C8.ii C9.i G2.i
Official source: 2012B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2012B

VIVA 2

Evidence Based Medicine and Clinical Trial Design Describe a Classification of Levels of Evidence
Opening prompt
This viva will examine knowledge of evidence based medicine and clinical trial design Describe a Classification of levels of evidence. Subsequent discussion involved research design, types of bias, randomisation, end-points and drug development studies.
Official source: 2012B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2012B

VIVA 3

Maternal Physiology and Pharmacology
Opening prompt
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.
Current · V5 (2025) P1.i · primary C8.iii G2.i P2.v P3.i
Official source: 2012B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2012B

VIVA 4

Calcium
Opening prompt
This viva will examine knowledge of Calcium. Consider the normal levels of calcium in blood and factors which affect it. Subsequent discussion focused on calcium physiology and pharmacology of verapamil.
Current · V5 (2025) F1.v · primary D7.iv L1.vi
Official source: 2012B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2012B

VIVA 5

Liver
Opening prompt
This Viva will examine knowledge of the liver. Candidates were given a picture of a portal triad in the centre of an acinus, and asked “What are the functional relationships and why is this arrangement important?” Subsequent discussion focused on liver blood flow, and its regulation, as well as how the liver handles ammonia, the urea cycle and laxatives.
Current · V5 (2025) J2.i · primary
Official source: 2012B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2012B

VIVA 6

Cerebral Blood Flow
Opening prompt
This Viva will examine knowledge of Cerebral Blood Flow. What are the determinants of Cerebral Blood Flow? Subsequent discussion involved physiology of Cerebral Blood Flow, its regulation and the pharmacology of propofol.
Current · V5 (2025) H2.ii · primary H6.i
Official source: 2012B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2012B

VIVA 7

Blood Products and Blood Transfusion
Opening prompt
This Viva will examine knowledge of blood products and blood transfusion. How is blood processed after it is collected? Subsequent discussion focused on other aspects of transfusion such as additives in a bag of blood, blood components, blood groups, storage lesions and haemostatic agents, in particular tranexamic acid.
Current · V5 (2025) N4.ii · primary N4.i N4.iii
Official source: 2012B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2012B

VIVA 8

Pharmacology of Commonly Used Sedatives and Their Effects on Respiratory and CNS Physiology
Opening prompt
This Viva will examine knowledge of the pharmacology of commonly used sedatives and their effects on Respiratory and CNS physiology. List the properties of an ideal sedative drug in Intensive Care? Subsequent discussion involved pharmacology of midazolam, how it compares to haloperidol, an understanding of the term “neuroleptic”, respiratory physiological response to sedation and the principles of the EEG.
Current · V5 (2025) H6.v · primary H6.i
Official source: 2012B CICM Examiner Report · page 12