VIVAs · 2023B

2023 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 2023B SAQs →

Exam outcomes

41% (43/106)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ

96% (43/45)Oral pass · VIVAs

39.8% (43/108)*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: 2 candidates 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

2023B

VIVA 1

Temperature Measurement

Opening prompt

This viva will examine temperature measurement. Define heat and temperature. What devices are used to measure temperature?

Current · V5 (2025) M1.i · primary M2.i

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2023B

VIVA 2

Respiratory Physiology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine respiratory physiology. Using the diagram describe the regional variability of ventilation and perfusion in the lung. (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) C6.i · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2023B

VIVA 3

Muscle Physiology and Monitoring

Opening prompt

This viva will examine muscle physiology and monitoring. Describe the events that lead to skeletal muscle contraction in response to a motor neurone action potential.

Current · V5 (2025) I1.ii · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2023B

VIVA 4

Cardiovascular Physiology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine cardiovascular physiology. Describe the features of this left ventricular pressure volume loop.

Current · V5 (2025) D3.vii · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2023B

VIVA 5

Antibiotic Pharmacology and Hepatic Physiology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine antibiotic pharmacology and hepatic physiology. Describe the mechanisms of action of antibiotics with examples.

Current · V5 (2025) O2.i · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2023B

VIVA 6

Sympathomimetic Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine sympathomimetic pharmacology. How does the activity and metabolism of metaraminol compare to adrenaline and why?

Current · V5 (2025) D7.i · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2023B

VIVA 7

Neuroanatomy and Related Physiology and Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine neuroanatomy and related physiology and pharmacology. Describe the pupillary light reflex, including the anatomical pathways involved.

Current · V5 (2025) H1.i · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 8

2023B

VIVA 8

Renal Acid Base Physiology and Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine renal acid base physiology and pharmacology. Describe what happens to bicarbonate once it reaches the kidney. (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) E1.v · primary G1.iii

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

Day 2

2023B

VIVA 1

Oxygen Delivery Systems and Measurement

Opening prompt

This viva will examine oxygen delivery systems and measurement. What are the physical principles behind the use of this device? (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) C10.ii · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2023B

VIVA 2

Cardiovascular Physiology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine cardiovascular physiology. Describe the important features on this left ventricular pressure volume loop, including the shape of the loop, and the values on both axes? (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) D3.vii · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2023B

VIVA 3

Cellular Physiology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine cellular physiology. What are the concentrations of sodium potassium and chloride in the extracellular and intracellular fluid of a skeletal myocyte? (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) F1.v · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2023B

VIVA 4

Renal Potassium Handling and Channel Physiology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine renal potassium handling and channel physiology. How is potassium handled at the numbered sites? (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) F1.v · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2023B

VIVA 5

Neurophysiology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine neurophysiology. Describe the pathway of CSF flow from production to absorption.

Current · V5 (2025) H2.iii · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 9

2023B

VIVA 6

Haemostasis

Opening prompt

This viva will examine haemostasis. Tell me about the structure of a platelet.

Current · V5 (2025) N1.iv · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2023B

VIVA 7

Pain Physiology and Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine pain physiology and pharmacology. Describe the events that lead to the perception of pain following a laceration to the hand.

Current · V5 (2025) H4.i · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2023B

VIVA 8

Nutrition and Endocrine Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine nutrition and endocrine pharmacology. What are the daily nutrient requirements for a healthy adult?

Current · V5 (2025) K1.i · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

Day 3

2023B

VIVA 1

On Acid Base Physiology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine on acid base physiology. Define pH and its physiological importance. Describe how pH is measured by the blood gas machine.

Current · V5 (2025) G1.i · primary G2.i

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2023B

VIVA 2

Foetal, Placental and Neonatal Physiology

Opening prompt

This viva will test your knowledge of foetal, placental and neonatal physiology. What determines the rate of gas transfer across the placenta?

Current · V5 (2025) P2.v · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2023B

VIVA 3

Renal Physiology and Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine renal physiology and pharmacology. What is normal renal blood flow? Outline the anatomy of the renal blood supply.

Current · V5 (2025) E1.iii · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2023B

VIVA 4

Haematological Physiology and Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine haematological physiology and pharmacology. How is blood typed or grouped?

Current · V5 (2025) N1.iii · primary N4.ii

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2023B

VIVA 5

Respiratory Physiology and Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine respiratory physiology and pharmacology. Define work of breathing and describe the determinants.

Current · V5 (2025) C3.x · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2023B

VIVA 6

Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology. Please draw the relationship between baroreceptor output and mean arterial pressure and describe the important features.

Current · V5 (2025) D3.iii · primary

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2023B

VIVA 7

Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine cardiorespiratory physiology and pharmacology. Describe the cardiovascular effects of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) D5.ii · primary C8.i

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2023B

VIVA 8

Electrocardiogram and Local Anaesthetic Pharmacology

Opening prompt

This viva will examine the electrocardiogram and local anaesthetic pharmacology. Label the components of the ECG trace and explain the x and y axis. (Image removed from report.)

Current · V5 (2025) D6.i · primary H6.ii

Official source: 2023B CICM Examiner Report · page 11