2023A
VIVA 1
Opioid Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine opioid pharmacology. What classifications of opioid receptors do you know?
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 10
VIVAs · 2023A
2023 First Sitting VIVAs
16 VIVA stations from the CICM examiner report for this sitting. Examiner wording, report provenance and reported performance data are preserved.
Exam outcomes
49% (37/76)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ
92% (34/37)Oral pass · VIVAs
44.7% (34/76)*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
2023A
VIVA 2
Respiratory Physiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine respiratory physiology. Compare the pulmonary and bronchial circulations? (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025)
C1.iii · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 10
2023A
VIVA 3
Hepatic Physiology and Immunology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine hepatic physiology and immunology. This is a hepatic lobule. Please indicate the structures labelled 1-5? (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025)
J2.i · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 10
2023A
VIVA 4
Autonomic Nervous System
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine the autonomic nervous system. Describe the anatomy of the sympathetic nervous system?
Current · V5 (2025)
H3.i · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 10
2023A
VIVA 5
Oxygen Measurement and Sodium Channel Physiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine oxygen measurement and sodium channel physiology. In what ways can oxygen tension or concentration be measured?
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 10
2023A
VIVA 6
Cardiovascular Physiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine cardiovascular physiology. Please identify and describe the key features of this graph. What are the main factors that affect venous return to the heart? (Image removed from report.)
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 10
2023A
VIVA 7
Upper Airway Functional Anatomy and Theophylline Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine upper airway functional anatomy and theophylline pharmacology. This is a view of the larynx as seen during intubation. Identify the structures indicated?
Current · V5 (2025)
C1.v · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 11
2023A
VIVA 8
Fluid Physiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine fluid physiology. How is water distributed in the body and how are these compartments measured?
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 11
Day 2
2023A
VIVA 1
Applied Cardiovascular Physiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine applied cardiovascular physiology. Describe the structural changes in the cardiovascular system in the elderly?
Current · V5 (2025)
D5.i · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 11
2023A
VIVA 2
Neurophysiology, Pharmacology and Anatomy
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine neurophysiology, pharmacology and anatomy. Describe the n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor?
Current · V5 (2025)
H4.ii · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 11
2023A
VIVA 3
Haematological Physiology and Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine haematological physiology and pharmacology. How are packed red blood cells (PRBCs) prepared by the blood bank?
Current · V5 (2025)
N4.ii · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 11
2023A
VIVA 4
Adrenergic and Steroid Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine adrenergic and steroid pharmacology. Describe the beta-adrenergic receptors and how signal transduction occurs?
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 11
2023A
VIVA 5
Respiratory Physiology Including Work of Breathing
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine respiratory physiology including work of breathing. What is described by this graph? (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025)
C3.x · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 11
2023A
VIVA 6
Cardiovascular Physiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine cardiovascular physiology. Please identify and describe the key features of this graph. What are the main factors that affect venous return to the heart? (Image removed from report.)
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 12
2023A
VIVA 7
Renal Physiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine renal physiology. Name and describe the components of the nephron shown here?
Current · V5 (2025)
E1.i · primary
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 12
2023A
VIVA 8
Anti-Bacterial Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine anti-bacterial pharmacology. What factors determine the ability of an intravenously administered anti-bacterial to treat a localised infection?
Official source: 2023A CICM Examiner Report · page 12