VIVAs · 2024B

2024 Second Sitting VIVAs

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

View 2024B SAQs →

Exam outcomes

48% (48/100)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ
100% (49/49)Oral pass · VIVAs
48.5% (49/101)*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

2024B

VIVA 1

Respiratory Physiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine respiratory physiology. The following diagram represents the West zones of the upright healthy lung. Describe this model of pulmonary blood flow distribution.
Current · V5 (2025) C6.i · primary
Official source: 2024B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2024B

VIVA 2

Acid-Base and Renal Physiology and Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine acid-base and renal physiology and pharmacology. Outline the principles of the Stewart (physicochemical) approach to acid base disturbances. Using this approach interpret the arterial blood gas below. (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) G2.i · primary G1.ii G1.iv
Official source: 2024B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2024B

VIVA 3

Pharmacokinetics
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine pharmacokinetics. Describe the “single compartment model” of pharmacokinetics. What properties of a drug mean that it can be described by a single compartment model?
Current · V5 (2025) B1.i · primary
Official source: 2024B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2024B

VIVA 4

Calcium Physiology and Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine calcium physiology and pharmacology. How does the body handle calcium, including its absorption, elimination and distribution?
Current · V5 (2025) F1.v · primary
Official source: 2024B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

Day 2

2024B

VIVA 5

Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology. This is a diagram of the pressure-volume loop of a healthy left ventricle before and after the administration of drug “X”. Explain the phases of the normal loop (including derived information) and describe the changes following the administration of drug “X” with an example. (image removed from report)
Current · V5 (2025) D3.vii · primary
Official source: 2024B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2024B

VIVA 6

Neurophysiology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine neurophysiology. Describe the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), its pathway of flow and its absorption.
Current · V5 (2025) H2.iii · primary
Official source: 2024B CICM Examiner Report · page 10

2024B

VIVA 7

Hepatobiliary Physiology and Pharmacology
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine hepatobiliary physiology and pharmacology. This is a diagram of a liver lobule. Please identify the structures labelled A-J.
Current · V5 (2025) J2.i · primary
Official source: 2024B CICM Examiner Report · page 11

2024B

VIVA 8

Haematological Physiology, Pharmacology and Measurement
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine haematological physiology, pharmacology and measurement. Describe the mechanisms that keep a blood clot localized and prevent propagation through the vasculature.
Current · V5 (2025) N1.v · primary N1.iv
Official source: 2024B CICM Examiner Report · page 11