VIVAs · 2018B

2018 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 2018B SAQs →

Exam outcomes

60% (41/68)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ

98% (40/41)Oral pass · VIVAs

58.8% (40/68)*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

2018B

VIVA 1

100%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This is the Oxygen Cascade. Please describe the steps. (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) C7.i · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018B

VIVA 2

Heat and Temperature

90%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will explore your knowledge of heat and temperature. Explain the physiological mechanisms for the control of body temperature.

Current · V5 (2025) M1.i · primary M1.iii

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018B

VIVA 3

Respiratory Physiology

95%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will test your knowledge of respiratory physiology. What is functional residual capacity (FRC)?

Current · V5 (2025) C4.ii · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018B

VIVA 4

Your Understanding of Infection

100%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will explore your understanding of infection. Classify the microbial pathogens that infect humans.

Current · V5 (2025) O1.i · primary O1.ii O1.iii

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018B

VIVA 5

Pharmacology of Diuretics

100%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will examine the pharmacology of diuretics. Demonstrate the mechanism of action of diuretics along the nephron. (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) E3.i · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2018B

VIVA 6

95%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva is about foetal and neonatal physiology. What are the differences between neonatal and adult airways?

Current · V5 (2025) C1.iv · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2018B

VIVA 7

Your Understanding of Opioids

95%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will test your understanding of opioids. Describe the mechanism of action of opioids.

Current · V5 (2025) H6.iii · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2018B

VIVA 8

Thromboelastography

90%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will explore thromboelastography. Can you label this trace of a normal thromboelastogram? (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) N3.i · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

Day 2

2018B

VIVA 1

90%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva is on maternal oxygenation. What are the values for the following parameters in an arterial blood gas for a female who is 38 weeks pregnant? pH pO2 pCO2 HCO3 BE SaO2

Current · V5 (2025) G2.i · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2018B

VIVA 2

90%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This station will explore your knowledge of Catecholamines. This is adrenaline (epinephrine). What are the important STRUCTURAL components? (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) D7.i · primary D7.ii

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018B

VIVA 3

Cardiovascular Physiology

100%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will test your knowledge of cardiovascular physiology. Explain the mechanical events shown in the left ventricular pressure-volume loop below: (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) D3.vii · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018B

VIVA 4

Your Understanding of Cerebral Blood Flow

95%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will assess your understanding of cerebral blood flow. What is normal cerebral blood flow (CBF) and how is it distributed?

Current · V5 (2025) H2.ii · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018B

VIVA 5

Respiratory Physiology

100%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will explore respiratory physiology. Describe the spirometry trace, indicating the volumes and capacities of a 70 kg male. (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) C9.iii · primary C4.i

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018B

VIVA 6

Your Understanding of the Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

100%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will test your understanding of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. What are the determinants of renal blood flow?

Current · V5 (2025) E1.iii · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2018B

VIVA 7

Your Understanding of the Coronary Circulation

95%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will test your understanding of the coronary circulation. Describe the anatomy of the coronary circulation.

Current · V5 (2025) D1.ii · primary

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2018B

VIVA 8

100%Successful candidates

Opening prompt

This viva will initially explore the measurement of neuromuscular function and pharmacology of neuromuscular blocking drugs. What are the principles of a peripheral nerve stimulator? (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) I2.i · primary I3.i

Official source: 2018B CICM Examiner Report · page 11