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  1. Deranged Physiology
  2. CICM Fellowship Exam
  3. Past papers
2011, Paper 1 SAQs
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6.1
Question 6.2
Question 6.3
Question 6.4
Question 7
Question 8.1
Question 8.2
Question 8.3
Question 9.1
Question 9.2
Question 10
Question 11
Question 12
Question 13
Question 14
Question 15
Question 16
Question 18.1
Question 18.2
Question 19
Question 20
Question 21
Question 22
Question 23
Question 24
Question 25.1
Question 25.2
Question 25.3
Question 25.4
Question 26.1
Question 26.2
Question 26.3
Question 27
Question 28.1
Question 28.2
Question 28.3
Question 29
Question 30
Short Answer Questions in Order of Appearance
Question 1

 Influence of chronic renal failure on critical illness

(Renal Failure and Dialysis) - Pass rate 33%; highest mark 7.0 .

Question 2

TIPS procedure. Also, staging and prognosis of chronic liver disease.

(Gastroenterology and Hepatology) - Pass rate 86%; highest mark 8.0 .

Question 3

Care for the patient with oesophageal perforation

(Cardiothoracic Intensive Care) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.25 .

Question 4

Approach to the undifferentiated shock patient

(Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation) - Pass rate 58.3%; highest mark 8.0 .

Question 5

Pharmacokinetic changes in critical illness: absorption and clearance

(Pharmacology and Toxicology) - Pass rate 31%; highest mark 6.25 .

Question 6.1

A mixed alkalosis - combination of respiratory alkalosis and metabolic alkalosis

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 86.1%; highest mark 9.25 .

Question 6.2

PaO2/FiO2 ratio criteria for ARDS. Also, calculation of bicarbonate replacement dose.

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 86.1%; highest mark 9.25 .

Question 6.3

Normal anion gap metabolic acidosis due to normal saline.

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 86.1%; highest mark 9.25 .

Question 6.4

Causes of lactic acidosis in sepsis; a triple acid-base disorder

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 86.1%; highest mark 9.25 .

Question 7

Your ICU is a filthy zoo. Discuss strategies to prevent the transmission of MROs.

(Infectious Disease Antibiotics and Sepsis) - Pass rate 25%; highest mark 7.25 .

Question 8.1

Heparin resistance: diagnostic features and management strategies.

(Haematology and Oncology) - Pass rate 42%; highest mark 8.0 .

Question 8.2

Von Willebrand disease: characteristic laboratory features and diagnosis.

(Haematology and Oncology) - Pass rate 42%; highest mark 8.0 .

Question 8.3

"What's Wrong With These Coags?" - Interpretation of mixing studies.

(Haematology and Oncology) - Pass rate 42%; highest mark 8.0 .

Question 9.1

Interpretation of formal pulmonary function tests

(Respiratory Medicine and Mechanical Ventilation) - Pass rate 39%; highest mark 7.75 .

Question 9.2

Lactic acidosis and respiratory acidosis after seizures

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 39%; highest mark 7.75 .

Question 10

A comparison of renal replacement therapy modalities: CVVHD vs  SCUF vs IHD

(Renal Failure and Dialysis) - Pass rate 67%; highest mark 9.0 .

Question 11

Which antibiotic choice would be appropriate for these MROs.

(Infectious Disease Antibiotics and Sepsis) - Pass rate 61%; highest mark 8.25 .

Question 12

Characteristic electrolyte derangement patterns

(Electrolytes and Fluids) - Pass rate 100%; highest mark 9.0 .

Question 13

Ventilation strategies and supportive non-ventilation strategies for ARDS

(Respiratory Medicine and Mechanical Ventilation) - Pass rate 64%; highest mark 9.75 .

Question 14

Prognostication following cardiac arrest: the utility of various parameters.

(Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation) - Pass rate 44%; highest mark 9.5 .

Question 15

Pulseless electrical activity, cardiac tamponade and pericardiocentesis technique.

(Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation) - Pass rate 25%; highest mark 8.1 .

Question 16

Causes of shock in the cardiac surgical patient; also, immediate management.

(Cardiothoracic Intensive Care) - Pass rate 67%; highest mark 9.0 .

Question 18.1

Causes, consequences and management of hypercalcemia.

(Electrolytes and Fluids) - Pass rate 64%; highest mark 7.75 .

Question 18.2

Causes of metabolic alkalosis

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 64%; highest mark 7.75 .

Question 19

The utility of the EEG in the ICU

(Neurology and Neurosurgery) - Pass rate 56%; highest mark 8.0 .

Question 20

Permissive hypotension,  haemostatic resuscitation and damage control surgery.

(Trauma, Burns, Drowning) - Pass rate 47%; highest mark 7.0 .

Question 21

Preparation for an awake fiberoptic intubation.

(Airway Management) - Pass rate 33%; highest mark 6.25 .

Question 22

HAGMA with a low albumin; also independent variables in Stewart's approach.

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 83.3%; highest mark 10 .

Question 23

Management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia

(Pregnancy, Obstetrics and Gynaecology) - Pass rate 94%; highest mark 10 .

Question 24

Necrotising fasciitis: "management priorities"

(Infectious Disease Antibiotics and Sepsis) - Pass rate 83%; highest mark 10 .

Question 25.1

"What's That Rash?" 

(Miscellaneous Topics) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.37 .

Question 25.2

Horner's Syndrome; specifically, the anatomical sites where the lesion may have occurred.

(Neurology and Neurosurgery) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.37 .

Question 25.3

Complications of arterial cannulation: a trashed limb post angiography.

(Cardiology) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.37 .

Question 25.4

Oculocephalic reflex (CN III, IV, VI and VIII) - what does a normal one tell you?

(Neurology and Neurosurgery) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.37 .

Question 26.1

Another game of "Name That ECG Abnormality"

(Cardiology) - Pass rate 44%; highest mark 8.25 .

Question 26.2

Troubleshooting the temporary pacemaker: failure to sense the atrium

(Cardiothoracic Intensive Care) - Pass rate 44%; highest mark 8.25 .

Question 26.3

Another game of "Name That ECG Abnormality"

(Cardiology) - Pass rate 44%; highest mark 8.25 .

Question 27

The child with stridor; also, paediatric airway management.

(Neonatal and Paediatric Problems) - Pass rate 72%; highest mark 8.8 .

Question 28.1

Anatomy of the PA catheter. Also, directly measured and derived PA catheter variables

(Equipment and Procedures) - Pass rate 50%; highest mark 7.45 .

Question 28.2

Endotracheal tube: specifically, the above-cuff suction port.

(Equipment and Procedures) - Pass rate 50%; highest mark 7.45 .

Question 28.3

Nitric oxide supply systems; what might you monitor during nitric oxide therapy?

(Equipment and Procedures) - Pass rate 50%; highest mark 7.45 .

Question 29

Blinding and allocation concealment

(Statistics and Interpretation of Evidence) - Pass rate 28%; highest mark 7.6 .

Question 30

End-tidal capnometry traces and analysis of ventilator waveforms

(Respiratory Medicine and Mechanical Ventilation) - Pass rate 56%; highest mark 8.5 .

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