VIVAs · 2013A

2013 First Sitting VIVAs

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

View 2013A SAQs →

Exam outcomes

67% (14/21)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ
86% (12/14)Oral pass · VIVAs
57.1% (12/21)*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

2013A

VIVA 1

Opening prompt
Tested knowledge of coronary perfusion and blood pressure measurement. It began by asking candidates to describe the coronary artery blood flow.
Current · V5 (2025) D4.iv · primary D6.ii
Official source: 2013A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2013A

VIVA 2

Opening prompt
Explored knowledge of oxygen administration and oxygen measurement (including arterial oxygen saturation and partial pressure). It began by asking candidates to describe the design principles of commonly used oxygen delivery masks.
Current · V5 (2025) C10.ii · primary C9.i
Official source: 2013A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2013A

VIVA 3

Opening prompt
This Viva was centered around the physiology of thyroid and the thyroid hormone. It also briefly covered anti-thyroidal drugs. Candidates were first shown a picture of the histology of the thyroid and asked to discuss those features labelled within the picture.
Current · V5 (2025) L1.iv · primary
Official source: 2013A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2013A

VIVA 4

Opening prompt
This Viva explored knowledge of intracranial pressure and sedating drugs.
Current · V5 (2025) H2.i · primary
Official source: 2013A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2013A

VIVA 5

Opening prompt
This Viva explored knowledge of the pressure waveforms associated with the right side of the heart. Candidates were first asked to draw the right atrial pressure trace (central venous pressure) and describe its features.
Current · V5 (2025) D6.iii · primary D3.i
Official source: 2013A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2013A

VIVA 6

Opening prompt
This Viva tested knowledge of the pain pathways and analgesia. The first question asked candidates to describe what would be the immediate response to a cut to the hand.
Current · V5 (2025) H4.i · primary H6.iii
Official source: 2013A CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2013A

VIVA 7

Opening prompt
This viva examined the physiology of acid/base and the role of the kidney in acid/base balance. The opening question was “What is the Henderson Hasselbalch equation?”
Current · V5 (2025) G1.iv · primary
Official source: 2013A CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2013A

VIVA 8

Opening prompt
This focused upon knowledge of respiratory physiology. The first question asked candidates to use a pre-supplied graph below to draw a dynamic pulmonary compliance (pressure volume loop) graph of a normal healthy adult, as you would see with a maximal inspiratory effort followed by total exhalation. Explain the characteristics of the curves. The other major area of respiratory physiology to be tested was that of the expiratory flow curve.
Current · V5 (2025) C3.iii · primary C3.ii D3.vii
Official source: 2013A CICM Examiner Report · page 9