VIVAs · 2016A

2016 First Sitting VIVAs

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

View 2016A SAQs →

Exam outcomes

79% (33/42)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ

91% (30/33)Oral pass · VIVAs

71.4% (30/42)*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.

Day 1

2016A

VIVA 1

Opening prompt

This viva tested knowledge of cardiovascular physiology. It discussed cardiac output, stroke volume, sarcomere length myocardial contractility, the role of calcium and then related pharmacology of drugs that increase cardiac contractility including catecholamines and digoxin.

Current · V5 (2025) D3.ii · primary D7.i D7.iv F1.v

Official source: 2016A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2016A

VIVA 2

Opening prompt

This viva tested knowledge of Respiratory Physiology. It discussed compliance, Functional Residual Capacity (FRC), Pressure Volume Loops and the work of breathing. It went on to discuss abdominal pressure, splanchnic blood flow and pharmacology of terlipressin.

Current · V5 (2025) C3.iii · primary C3.ii C3.x C4.ii J1.i L2.v

Official source: 2016A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2016A

VIVA 3

Opening prompt

This viva discussed fluid flow and related physical principles around turbulent and laminar flow and then the invasive measurement of arterial blood pressure.

Current · V5 (2025) D6.ii · primary

Official source: 2016A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2016A

VIVA 4

Opening prompt

This viva tested knowledge of buffer systems in the body and the renal handling of acid. It went on to discuss drug ionization, pKa and dissociation and then the pharmacology of local anaesthetic agents

Current · V5 (2025) G1.iii · primary B2.ii E1.v H6.ii

Official source: 2016A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2016A

VIVA 5

Opening prompt

This viva covered cerebral physiology and related pharmacology including factors that influence cerebral blood flow and the related pharmacology of propofol and ketamine.

Current · V5 (2025) H2.ii · primary H6.i

Official source: 2016A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2016A

VIVA 6

Opening prompt

This viva tested knowledge of blood glucose homeostasis and the pharmacology of insulin.

Current · V5 (2025) L1.ii · primary

Official source: 2016A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2016A

VIVA 7

Opening prompt

This viva tested knowledge of antibacterial agents, including mechanisms of action and mechanisms of resistance and dosing rationale for aminoglycosides.

Current · V5 (2025) O2.i · primary

Official source: 2016A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2016A

VIVA 8

Opening prompt

This viva tested knowledge of physiology and pharmacology changes of aging and in a more general discussion around opioid pharmacology.

Current · V5 (2025) B3.iii · primary H6.iii

Official source: 2016A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

Day 2

2016A

VIVA 1

Opening prompt

This viva tested knowledge of cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology, the Frank Starling mechanism, venous return and stroke volume. It went on to discuss cardiac output measurement and the pharmacology of milrinone, West’s zones of the lung and pulmonary vascular resistance.

Current · V5 (2025) D3.ii · primary C5.ii C6.i D3.iv D6.iv D7.i