Examiners fed back that some candidates seemed poorly prepared for the exam. They were reported as having problems discussing topics such as osmolality, exploring osmolar gap and leading to a discussion on hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic states. Similarly questions on the basic structure of proteins leading onto protein requirements in the critically ill; oxygen, hypoxaemia and oxygen delivery and hypercalcaemia and calcium homeostasis were highlighted as being generally badly managed. Clinical conditions should be expected to be explored in depth even if rare such as amniotic fluid embolism which was covered in this exam.
Many candidates seem to have received the message about structuring their description of images and ECGs but there were still those losing marks for not referencing basic information such as name and date.
