VIVAs · 2018A

2018 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 2018A SAQs →

Exam outcomes

50% (28/56)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ
97% (28/29)Oral pass · VIVAs
49.1% (28/57)*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

2018A

VIVA 1

Haematological Physiology & Pharmacology
80%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will assess your knowledge of haematological physiology & pharmacology. Outline the different blood groups and explain why they are different.
Current · V5 (2025) N1.iii · primary
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018A

VIVA 2

Pacemaker Cells and Antiarrhythmic Drugs
85%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will examine pacemaker cells and antiarrhythmic drugs. Explain the ionic currents responsible for spontaneous electrical activity of sinus node pacemaker cells.
Current · V5 (2025) D2.i · primary D7.iv
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018A

VIVA 3

Respiratory Changes in Pregnancy
85%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will examine respiratory changes in pregnancy. The figure below depicts the expected changes in oxygen saturation when individuals are pre- oxygenated prior to intubation. Explain why pregnant patients desaturate so quickly. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) C8.iii · primary
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018A

VIVA 4

Pain Pathways and Analgesic Pharmacology
70%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will examine pain pathways and analgesic pharmacology. Define pain and describe how pain is detected in response to a peripheral noxious stimulus.
Current · V5 (2025) H4.i · primary H6.iii
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018A

VIVA 5

Following Areas: the Pharmacology of Common Anticoagulants and the Physics of Arterial Lines
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore your knowledge of the following areas: The pharmacology of common anticoagulants and the physics of arterial lines. What is the mechanism of action of un-fractionated heparin?
Current · V5 (2025) N4.i · primary D6.ii
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2018A

VIVA 6

100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is about “High Flow” Oxygen Therapy. Describe each labelled component in the diagram and their role. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) C10.ii · primary
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2018A

VIVA 7

90%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is about insulin and glomerular filtration. What are the effects of insulin?
Current · V5 (2025) L1.i · primary E1.iv L1.ii
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2018A

VIVA 8

95%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva relates to the physiology and pharmacology of vomiting. Define vomiting. Describe the inputs to the vomiting centre.
Current · V5 (2025) J1.iv · primary
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 9

Day 2

2018A

VIVA 1

Renal Physiology
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will assess your knowledge of renal physiology. Describe the physiological processes which cause oliguria in response to acute hypovolaemia?
Current · V5 (2025) E1.iii · primary D5.i E1.iv
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018A

VIVA 2

Alveolar Ventilation and Metabolism
78%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will test your knowledge of alveolar ventilation and metabolism. In relation to respiration, describe the central chemoreceptors, and explain their role in the control of ventilation.
Current · V5 (2025) C2.i · primary C1.i
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018A

VIVA 3

Nerve Action Potentials and Neuromuscular Blockade
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will examine nerve action potentials and neuromuscular blockade. Describe the graph shown below. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) I3.i · primary H2.vi
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018A

VIVA 4

Your Understanding of Lung Volumes and Capacities
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will examine your understanding of lung volumes and capacities. Why does the lung not “collapse” at the end of expiration?
Current · V5 (2025) C4.i · primary
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018A

VIVA 5

Following Areas: Renal Clearance and Aspects of the ECG
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore your knowledge of the following areas: Renal clearance and aspects of the ECG. What is meant by the term clearance when applied to the kidney? What are the units?
Current · V5 (2025) D6.i · primary
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018A

VIVA 6

Your Understanding of Antibiotics and Antiarrhythmics
100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will explore your understanding of antibiotics and antiarrhythmics. Which classes of antibiotics are effective against Gram positive organisms?
Current · V5 (2025) D7.iv · primary O2.i
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2018A

VIVA 7

100%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva is about cardiovascular physiology and blood. Describe the important features of a left ventricular pressure-volume loop.
Current · V5 (2025) D3.vii · primary
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2018A

VIVA 8

Adreno-Receptors, Second Messengers and Calcium
89%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This viva will examine adreno-receptors, second messengers and calcium. Classify adreno-receptors and their secondary messenger systems.
Current · V5 (2025) H3.ii · primary B2.ii F1.v
Official source: 2018A CICM Examiner Report · page 11