100+ Free Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin Practice Questions
Prepare for the Facharzt FMH für Intensivmedizin / Spécialiste FMH en médecine intensive exam with instant access — no signup required.
Loading practice questions...
Explore More Swiss FMH Medical Specialist Examinations (Facharzt SIWF/FMH)
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
Key Facts: Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin Exam
EDIC + SGI
Exam Format
SIWF / SGI Examination Regulations
100
Written EDIC MCQs
ESICM / SGI Examination Committee
6 Years
Postgraduate Training
SIWF Weiterbildungsprogramm
180 min
Written Exam Duration
EDIC Part 1 Standard
Lifetime
FMH Title Validity
Swiss Medical Association (FMH)
100
Practice Questions
OpenExamPrep
The Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin credential certifies specialist intensivists in Switzerland through SIWF and SGI/SSMI. Assessment comprises the written European EDIC Part 1 examination (100 MCQs in English) and the SGI structured oral clinical board, covering hemodynamics, ARDS ventilation, neurotrauma, CRRT, sepsis resuscitation, and Swiss medical ethics.
Sample Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 68-year-old man is admitted to the ICU with septic shock secondary to acute ascending cholangitis. After receiving 30 mL/kg of balanced crystalloids, his mean arterial pressure (MAP) is 52 mmHg, heart rate is 118 bpm, and central venous lactate is 4.2 mmol/L. Bedside echocardiography demonstrates a hyperdynamic left ventricle without pericardial effusion. According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines, what is the initial vasopressor strategy of choice?
2A 58-year-old intubated woman with severe bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and refractory hypoxemia undergoes transpulmonary thermodilution monitoring (PiCCO). The device reports an Extravascular Lung Water Index (EVLWI) of 16 mL/kg (normal 3-7 mL/kg), a Pulmonary Vascular Permeability Index (PVPI) of 3.8 (normal 1.0-3.0), and a Global End-Diastolic Volume Index (GEDVI) of 680 mL/m² (normal 680-800 mL/m²). How should these hemodynamic findings be interpreted?
3A patient with a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) in place exhibits the following hemodynamic profile: Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) 55 mmHg, Central Venous Pressure (CVP) 18 mmHg, Pulmonary Artery Occlusion Pressure (PAOP) 22 mmHg, Cardiac Index (CI) 1.6 L/min/m², Systemic Vascular Resistance Index (SVRI) 2600 dyn·s·cm⁻⁵·m², and Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation (SvO2) 48%. Which clinical condition is most consistent with these measurements?
4An intensivist assesses fluid responsiveness in a 64-year-old mechanically ventilated patient with septic shock who has spontaneous respiratory efforts and sinus tachycardia. Which diagnostic maneuver provides the highest diagnostic accuracy to predict an increase in cardiac output with volume administration?
5On day 4 following an extensive anterior STEMI, a 71-year-old man abruptly develops severe dyspnea, hypotension (BP 78/44 mmHg), and a new harsh holosystolic murmur with a palpable thrill at the lower left sternal border. Pulmonary artery catheterization reveals a right atrial oxygen saturation of 58% and a pulmonary artery oxygen saturation of 82%. What is the definitive diagnosis?
6A 52-year-old woman with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension is admitted to the ICU with acute right ventricular (RV) failure. She is hypotensive (MAP 58 mmHg) with a central venous pressure of 20 mmHg. Systemic arterial pressure is supported with norepinephrine. Which inotropic agent is most advantageous for augmenting RV contractility while reducing pulmonary vascular resistance without increasing myocardial oxygen consumption excessively?
7A 45-year-old man with refractory cardiogenic shock is supported on peripheral femoral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Three days after cannulation, his right radial arterial line shows a PaO2 of 48 mmHg and SaO2 of 82%, while the left femoral arterial cannula delivers fully oxygenated blood (SaO2 100%). What is the underlying mechanism and the most appropriate management of this phenomenon?
8A 60-year-old patient with an Impella CP microaxial flow pump placed for cardiogenic shock develops sudden recurrent 'position alarms', dark red urine, and a rise in plasma free hemoglobin to 85 mg/dL with an elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). What is the primary underlying cause and immediate corrective action?
9A 55-year-old woman is admitted to the ICU comatose following resuscitation from an out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. In accordance with current ERC/ESICM post-resuscitation care guidelines, what is the standard temperature management strategy and neuroprognostication timeline?
10A 62-year-old postoperative orthopedic patient experiences sudden hemodynamic collapse in the ICU. Bedside focused critical care echocardiography (TTE) demonstrates right ventricular dilation with an RV/LV end-diastolic area ratio of 1.2, flattening of the interventricular septum throughout the cardiac cycle ('D-shaped' left ventricle), and hyperkinesia of the RV apex with akinesia of the RV mid-free wall (McConnell's sign). What is the most likely diagnosis?
About the Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin Exam
The Facharzt FMH für Intensivmedizin (Specialist in Intensive Care Medicine FMH) is the Swiss Federal specialist title granting full independent practice rights as an intensivist across Switzerland. Governed by the SIWF (Swiss Institute for Postgraduate and Continuous Medical Training) and the SGI / SSMI (Swiss Society of Intensive Care Medicine), board qualification requires passing the written European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine (EDIC Part 1) examination, followed by the SGI structured oral board examination. The syllabus covers advanced hemodynamic monitoring and shock, invasive mechanical ventilation and ARDS, neuro-critical care, acute kidney injury and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), sepsis and severe infections, clinical toxicology, polytrauma resuscitation, and Swiss medical-ethical end-of-life decision-making. Note on format and language: While the official written EDIC Part 1 examination is administered in English and the SGI oral examination is conducted in Swiss national languages (German/French/Italian) or English, this question bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation created by OpenExamPrep—not an official SGI or ESICM examination release—specifically designed to train high-yield clinical decision-making, physiological calculations, and guideline-based critical care protocols.
Assessment
Two-part qualifying examination: 1) The written EDIC Part 1 examination comprising 100 multiple-choice questions (3 hours, administered in English), and 2) The SGI structured oral-practical board examination consisting of interactive clinical case vignettes evaluated by a panel of Swiss critical care specialists in German, French, Italian, or English.
Time Limit
180 minutes written examination (EDIC Part 1) plus approximately 60–90 minutes structured oral board examination
Passing Score
Criterion-referenced standard passing score on the written EDIC Part 1 MCQ examination (Angoff method, typically ~60–65% raw score) and a structured passing evaluation across all clinical case stations assessed by the SGI examination committee
Exam Fee
CHF 1,700 for non-members (CHF 1,360–1,530 for SGI members) for the combined written and oral examination; SIWF FMH Title Application fee CHF 1,000–2,500 (Schweizerisches Institut für ärztliche Weiter- und Fortbildung (SIWF / FMH) and Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Intensivmedizin (SGI / SSMI) in partnership with ESICM (EDIC))
Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin Exam Content Outline
Hemodynamics, Shock & Cardiovascular Emergencies
Pathophysiology and management of distributive, cardiogenic, obstructive, and hypovolemic shock; advanced hemodynamic monitoring (transpulmonary thermodilution/PiCCO, pulmonary artery catheterization, critical care echocardiography); vasopressors, inotropes, and vasodilators; post-cardiac arrest care and targeted temperature management; and temporary mechanical circulatory support (VA-ECMO, Impella, IABP).
Respiratory Failure, Mechanical Ventilation & ARDS
Diagnosis and Berlin definition of ARDS; lung-protective invasive mechanical ventilation (low tidal volume, driving pressure, plateau pressure limits, PEEP titration); rescue therapies (prone positioning, neuromuscular blockade, VV-ECMO); obstructive lung disease (severe COPD exacerbation, status asthmaticus, auto-PEEP); non-invasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannula (ROX index); ventilator waveforms, dyssynchrony, and protocolized weaning.
Neuro-Critical Care & Sedation/Analgesia/Delirium
Management of severe traumatic brain injury (ICP/CPP targets, tiered intracranial hypertension protocols); aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and delayed cerebral ischemia; refractory status epilepticus; acute stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage; brain death determination (SAMW/ASSM guidelines); and evidence-based sedation, analgesia, and delirium management (PADIS guidelines, RASS, CAM-ICU).
Acute Kidney Injury, CRRT & Metabolic/Electrolyte Disorders
KDIGO staging and etiology of acute kidney injury; continuous renal replacement therapy (CVVH, CVVHD, CVVHDF, dose prescription, regional citrate anticoagulation vs systemic heparin); advanced acid-base interpretation (Stewart physicochemical approach vs Henderson-Hasselbalch, anion gap); and life-threatening electrolyte emergencies (hyperkalemia, severe hyponatremia/ODS risk, hypophosphatemia, refeeding syndrome).
Sepsis, Severe Infections & Antimicrobial Stewardship
Sepsis-3 diagnostic criteria (SOFA score) and Surviving Sepsis Campaign 1-hour resuscitation bundle; pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic optimization of antimicrobials in critical illness (extended/continuous infusions, therapeutic drug monitoring, augmented renal clearance); ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-related bloodstream infections, necrotizing fasciitis, severe acute pancreatitis, and invasive fungal infections.
Trauma, Toxicology, Nutrition & Ethics/End-of-Life
Severe polytrauma resuscitation (massive transfusion protocol, viscoelastic ROTEM/TEG testing, tranexamic acid, abdominal compartment syndrome); acute toxidromes and antidotes (paracetamol/NAC, toxic alcohols, carbon monoxide/cyanide, calcium channel blockers/HIET, local anesthetic systemic toxicity/lipid rescue); enteral/parenteral nutrition guidelines; and Swiss medical-ethical standards (SAMW/ASSM guidelines, advance directives, surrogate decision-making, withdrawal of life support, organ donation DBD/DCDD).
How to Pass the Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Criterion-referenced standard passing score on the written EDIC Part 1 MCQ examination (Angoff method, typically ~60–65% raw score) and a structured passing evaluation across all clinical case stations assessed by the SGI examination committee
- Assessment: Two-part qualifying examination: 1) The written EDIC Part 1 examination comprising 100 multiple-choice questions (3 hours, administered in English), and 2) The SGI structured oral-practical board examination consisting of interactive clinical case vignettes evaluated by a panel of Swiss critical care specialists in German, French, Italian, or English.
- Time limit: 180 minutes written examination (EDIC Part 1) plus approximately 60–90 minutes structured oral board examination
- Exam fee: CHF 1,700 for non-members (CHF 1,360–1,530 for SGI members) for the combined written and oral examination; SIWF FMH Title Application fee CHF 1,000–2,500
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Facharzt FMH Intensivmedizin Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Facharzt FMH für Intensivmedizin title?
The Facharzt FMH für Intensivmedizin is the federally recognized specialist medical title awarded by the SIWF / FMH (Swiss Medical Association) upon completion of at least 6 years of accredited postgraduate training (including a core specialty and at least 33–36 months in accredited category A/B intensive care units), passing both the written EDIC Part 1 examination and the SGI oral board examination, publishing a peer-reviewed scientific paper, and meeting all logbook requirements.
How is the Swiss Intensive Care Medicine specialist examination structured?
The qualification requires two distinct examinations: 1) The written EDIC Part 1 (European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine) examination, consisting of 100 MCQs in English organized in collaboration with ESICM, and 2) The SGI structured oral board examination, which tests clinical reasoning, bedside hemodynamic data interpretation, critical care imaging, and ethical decision-making across real-world patient scenarios before a panel of Swiss intensivists.
What is the connection between the Swiss SGI exam and the European EDIC?
Under the cooperation between the Swiss Society of Intensive Care Medicine (SGI/SSMI) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), candidates registering for the Swiss written specialist exam are automatically registered for the EDIC Part 1 examination. Passing this component satisfies both the Swiss written exam requirement and the first half of the European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine.
When can Swiss intensive care trainees sit the examination?
Trainees typically register for the written EDIC Part 1 examination during their 5th or 6th year of postgraduate training (after completing at least 18–24 months of accredited intensive care clinical time). The SGI oral board examination is taken after successfully passing the written part and nearing completion of all clinical training requirements.
Why is this practice question bank presented in English?
The official written EDIC Part 1 Examination is written and administered exclusively in English across Europe, including Switzerland. Critical care scientific literature, hemodynamic formulas, and international consensus guidelines (ESICM, SSC, ARDSnet) are universally formulated in English. This practice bank provides 100 high-yield English-language questions tailored to the SGI and EDIC blueprint.
What are high-yield clinical calculations tested on the ICU board?
Key calculations include driving pressure (Plateau pressure - PEEP), static compliance (Vt / [Pplat - PEEP]), ROX index ([SpO2/FiO2]/Respiratory Rate), systemic vascular resistance (SVR = 80 × [MAP - CVP] / CO), oxygen delivery (DO2 = CO × CaO2 × 10), Stewart strong ion difference (SID = [Na + K + Ca + Mg] - [Cl + Lactate]), and calcium ratio during citrate anticoagulation (total Ca / ionized Ca > 2.5 indicating citrate accumulation).