Chest X-rays.
Candidates were asked to describe the X-ray findings, and list possible aetiologies. Abnormalities present included a collapsed left upper lobe, a pneumothorax, mediastinal widening, and diffuse alveolar infiltrates.
Introductory questions included:
“What is the major finding on this X-ray? List four features on the X-ray that support this diagnosis.”
“List six differential diagnoses for the appearances on this chest X-Ray. These differential diagnoses should be broad diagnostic categories, and encompass the full range of diagnostic possibilities.”
“This 30 year old man was in a car crash 2 hours ago. He was unconscious for 10 minutes, but now has a GCS of 15. Respiratory rate 40 per minute, SpO2 85% on high flow oxygen. Pulse 120/min, BP 160/90. List the three most important abnormalities on this X-Ray.”
Twenty-three out of twenty-seven candidates passed this station.
Disclaimer: the viva stem above may be an original CICM stem, acquired from their publicly available past papers. Or, perhaps it is a slightly altered version of the original CICM stem. Or, it is a completely original viva stem, concocted by the monstrously amoral author of Deranged Physiology for nothing more than his own personal amusement. In either case, because the college do not make the main viva text or marking criteria available, almost everything here has been confabulated. It might sound like a plausible viva and it could be used for the purpose of practice, but all should be aware that it does not represent the "true" canonical CICM viva station.