VIVAs · 2016B

2016 Second Sitting VIVAs

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

View 2016B SAQs →

Exam outcomes

76% (37/49)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ
97% (37/38)Oral pass · VIVAs
74.0% (37/50)*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.

Carry-over: 1 candidate entered the oral component carrying a written pass from a previous sitting.

* 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

2016B

VIVA 1

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of neuromuscular blocking drug pharmacology and physiology of the deep tendon reflex.
Current · V5 (2025) I3.i · primary
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2016B

VIVA 2

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge related to cholinergic receptors. The pharmacology of Atropine was specifically discussed. The second part of the viva discussed the pharmacology of propofol including rationale for its use in ICU, contents of the ampoule and adverse effects.
Current · V5 (2025) H3.ii · primary H6.i H6.viii
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2016B

VIVA 3

Opening prompt
This viva discussed cardiovascular physiology including measurement of cardiac output, the Valsalva manoeuvre and alterations with acute blood loss.
Current · V5 (2025) D5.i · primary D3.ii D5.ii D6.iv
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2016B

VIVA 4

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of the measurement of arterial blood pressure and the pharmacology of beta blocking drugs.
Current · V5 (2025) D7.iii · primary D6.ii
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2016B

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) H6.i · primary H2.ii
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2016B

VIVA 6

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of physical principles around flow and viscosity. It went on to look at the venous anatomy of the upper limb and chest and in vivo blood clotting.
Current · V5 (2025) D1.v · primary N1.iv
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2016B

VIVA 7

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of respiratory physiology including lung volumes and changes with obesity. It then went on to discuss physiology of the lower oesophageal sphincter and gastric emptying .It went to cover the pharmacology of metoclopramide.
Current · V5 (2025) J1.iii · primary C4.i C8.iii J4.iii
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2016B

VIVA 8

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of physiology related to renal clearance and the pharmacology of diuretic agents.
Current · V5 (2025) E3.i · primary
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

Day 2

2016B

VIVA 1

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of dose response curves and Neuromuscular blocking drug pharmacology
Current · V5 (2025) B2.iii · primary I3.i
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2016B

VIVA 2

Opening prompt
This viva discussed humidity, oxygen measurement and concepts around partial pressure.
Current · V5 (2025) C9.i · primary
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2016B

VIVA 3

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of intravenous fluid physiology and pharmacology and concepts of osmolarity, osmolality and tonicity.
Current · V5 (2025) F1.iii · primary
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2016B

VIVA 4

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of newborn physiology including the transitional circulation, temperature regulation and respiratory physiology. It went on to discuss principles of ultrasounds and central venous pressure measurement.
Current · V5 (2025) P2.vi · primary D6.iii D6.v M1.iii
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2016B

VIVA 5

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of the renal handling of water and pharmacology of antihypertensive drug, in particular those the interact with the renin/ angiotensin system.
Current · V5 (2025) E1.v · primary D7.iii L1.v
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2016B

VIVA 6

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of physiology around glucose utilization and the pharmacology of insulin.
Current · V5 (2025) L1.ii · primary K1.iii L1.i L2.iii
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2016B

VIVA 7

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge of blood grouping and cross match and went on to the events involved in blood clotting and some aspects of anticoagulant pharmacology.
Current · V5 (2025) N1.iii · primary N4.i N4.ii
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2016B

VIVA 8

Opening prompt
This viva tested knowledge on pulse oximetry the physiology related to hypoxia and hypoxaemia.
Current · V5 (2025) C8.ii · primary C9.i
Official source: 2016B CICM Examiner Report · page 13