VIVAs · 2017B

2017 Second Sitting VIVAs

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

View 2017B SAQs →

Exam outcomes

79% (50/63)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ
90% (46/51)Oral pass · VIVAs
71.9% (46/64)*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

2017B

VIVA 1

Your Understanding of the Left Ventricular Pressure Volume Relationship
75%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore your understanding of the left ventricular pressure volume relationship. Describe the cardiac cycle (ABCD). (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) D2.ii · primary D3.vii
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2017B

VIVA 2

Aspects of Carbon Dioxide Physiology
80%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will examine aspects of carbon dioxide physiology. You will be asked to describe the relationship of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO 2) (in either kPa or mmHg) and the CO2 concentration. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) C7.iii · primary C7.iv
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2017B

VIVA 3

Following Areas: Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology
70%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore your knowledge of the following areas: Neurophysiology and neuropharmacology. What is normal cerebral blood flow? Is it the same for gray and white matter?
Current · V5 (2025) H2.ii · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2017B

VIVA 4

100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is about intravenous fluids and buffers. Using the diagram below explain how fluid is distributed throughout the body of a healthy 70 kg adult male. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) F1.ii · primary F2.i G1.iii
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2017B

VIVA 5

Respiratory Physiology and the Renal Handling of Sodium
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will test your knowledge of respiratory physiology and the renal handling of sodium. Describe the oxygen cascade – from the atmosphere to the tissues (in a normal healthy adult) using appropriate PO2 values.
Current · V5 (2025) C7.i · primary E1.v F1.v
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2017B

VIVA 6

Classification of Micro-Organisms and Antimicrobial Pharmacology
85%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore classification of micro-organisms and antimicrobial pharmacology. What types of micro-organisms are demonstrated on the Gram Stain? (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) O1.i · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2017B

VIVA 7

Liver Physiology and Diuretics
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will examine liver physiology and diuretics. Describe the blood supply of the liver.
Current · V5 (2025) J2.ii · primary E3.i
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2017B

VIVA 8

Immunology and Associated Pharmacology
65%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will test your knowledge of immunology and associated pharmacology. What is innate immunity?
Current · V5 (2025) N2.ii · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

Day 2

2017B

VIVA 1

Renal Physiology and Potassium
90%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will test your knowledge of renal physiology and potassium. Briefly outline the functions of the kidney.
Current · V5 (2025) F1.v · primary E1.ii
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2017B

VIVA 2

90%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is about the physiology and pharmacology of work of breathing. Please explain the graph shown below. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) C3.x · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2017B

VIVA 3

Following Areas: Arterial Blood Gases and Oxygen Measurement
90%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore your knowledge of the following areas: Arterial blood gases and oxygen measurement. What is the difference between hypoxia and hypoxaemia?
Current · V5 (2025) C8.ii · primary C9.i G2.i
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2017B

VIVA 4

95%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is about cardiovascular physiology and calcium. Define afterload and list the components.
Current · V5 (2025) D3.ii · primary F1.v
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2017B

VIVA 5

Peripheral Nervous System and the Pharmacology of Local Anaesthetics
80%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will test your knowledge of the peripheral nervous system and the pharmacology of local anaesthetics. Regarding the relations of the femoral nerve in the femoral triangle, identify the structures A to H. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) H6.ii · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2017B

VIVA 6

Physiology and Pharmacology of Coagulation and Its Laboratory Assessment
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore the physiology and pharmacology of coagulation and its laboratory assessment. Describe the events after injury to a vessel wall that lead to formation of a haemostatic plug.
Current · V5 (2025) N1.iv · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2017B

VIVA 7

Pharmacokinetics and Opioids
75%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore pharmacokinetics and opioids. Draw the concentration-time curve following an intravenous bolus of 100 ug fentanyl.
Current · V5 (2025) H6.iii · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2017B

VIVA 8

80%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on the physiology and pharmacology as it relates to blood volume and tonicity. Outline the response to loss of 1 L of circulating blood in an adult.
Current · V5 (2025) D5.i · primary F1.ii F1.iii
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

Day 3

2017B

VIVA 1

82%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on the structure and function of the respiratory system and inhaled drug delivery. What is this structure and what are the key components? (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) C1.i · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2017B

VIVA 2

45%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on the role of oxygen in the body. Describe the role of oxygen in the body.
Current · V5 (2025) C7.i · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2017B

VIVA 3

55%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on cardiac electrical physiology and anti-arrhythmic drugs. This is a normal trace obtained from the Lead II of the electrocardiogram. Describe the features of this trace. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) D6.i · primary D7.iv
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 12

2017B

VIVA 4

100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on blood transfusion, CNS physiology and pharmacology. What is the ABO blood system?
Current · V5 (2025) N1.iii · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2017B

VIVA 5

100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on neuromuscular physiology and the pharmacology of neuromuscular blockade. Describe the structure of the neuromuscular junction and the events that lead to an action potential in the muscle plasma membrane.
Current · V5 (2025) I1.iii · primary I3.i
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2017B

VIVA 6

100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on the endocrine functions of the kidney and renal pharmacology. Describe the renin-angiotensin system.
Current · V5 (2025) L1.v · primary E1.ii
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2017B

VIVA 7

82%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on right heart physiology. Draw the right atrial pressure trace.
Current · V5 (2025) D6.iii · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2017B

VIVA 8

45%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is on neurophysiology and pharmacology. Describe the response of the nervous system to standing on a nail.
Current · V5 (2025) H4.i · primary
Official source: 2017B CICM Examiner Report · page 13