100+ Free Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg Practice Questions
Prepare for the Sub-specialty Certificate in Critical Care (Surgical) of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa exam with instant access — no signup required.
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Key Facts: Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg Exam
2 components
Written + oral/OSCE
CMSA Regulations
50% each
Subminimum per component
CMSA Regulations
R24 650
Exam Fee
CMSA Fee Schedule
50% overall
Pass Mark
CMSA Regulations
CMSA
Examining Body
College of Surgeons of SA
The Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg is a rigorous two-component sub-specialty exit examination (written short-answer papers plus an oral/OSCE/clinical component, each 50%) assessing advanced surgical critical care for specialist surgeons in South Africa.
Sample Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 28-year-old male arrives at the trauma unit following a high-velocity motor vehicle collision with severe pelvic fractures and hypovolemic shock (BP 70/40 mmHg, HR 140 bpm). Massive Transfusion Protocol (MTP) is activated. What is the recommended target ratio of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC) to Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) to Platelets in damage control resuscitation?
2A 34-year-old female presents with severe sub-diaphragmatic intra-abdominal hemorrhage following a gunshot wound to the abdomen. She remains profound shocked (systolic BP 60 mmHg) despite initial blood transfusion. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is performed. In which anatomic zone of the aorta should the balloon be inflated for temporary control of sub-diaphragmatic intra-abdominal bleeding?
3During massive resuscitation of a major trauma patient, a thromboelastometry (ROTEM) tracing displays a prolonged Reaction time (R-time) / Clotting Time (CT = 320 seconds; reference range 100-240 s). What is the specific target blood product indicated to correct this defect?
4A ROTEM FIBTEM assay in a trauma patient with ongoing coagulopathic bleeding reveals a Maximum Clot Firmness (MCF) of 4 mm (normal range 9-25 mm). Which blood product replacement is specifically indicated?
5A TEG report in a severely injured trauma patient shows a Lysis at 30 minutes (LY30) of 12% (normal < 3%). Which pharmacologic intervention is immediately indicated?
6According to the CRASH-2 trial recommendations, within what timeframe from injury must Tranexamic Acid (TXA) be administered to trauma patients with significant hemorrhage to confer a survival benefit?
7In a polytrauma patient with ongoing arterial non-compressible torso hemorrhage and NO evidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), what is the target Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) range during permissive hypotensive resuscitation prior to definitive surgical vascular control?
8A 42-year-old pedestrian hit by a truck presents with an unstable 'open-book' pelvic disruption (Tile C / Young-Burgess APC III). A pelvic binder is applied. Despite 4 units of MTP resuscitation, he remains hemodynamically unstable. E-FAST shows no intra-abdominal free fluid. What is the immediate next intervention of choice?
9According to the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guidelines, what is the recommended target range for Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP) in adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
10A mechanically ventilated TBI patient with an ICP monitor develops a sudden spike in ICP to 28 mmHg (normal < 22 mmHg). Serum sodium is 138 mmol/L and serum osmolality is 290 mOsm/kg. What is the hyperosmolar agent of choice to acutely lower intracranial pressure?
About the Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg Exam
The Sub-specialty Certificate in Critical Care (Surgical) [Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg] is the post-fellowship sub-specialty qualification administered by the College of Surgeons of South Africa. It validates expertise in the management of critically ill surgical and trauma patients, including severe polytrauma resuscitation, damage control surgery, surgical sepsis, intra-abdominal hypertension, post-operative multi-organ failure, mechanical ventilation, and specialized surgical nutrition.
Assessment
Two components each contributing 50%: a written component (short-answer written papers) and an oral/OSCE/OSPE/clinical component. Content spans 5 blueprint domains: Severe Polytrauma & Hemorrhagic Shock Management (30%), Surgical Sepsis & Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (25%), Post-Operative ICU Care & Complications (20%), Mechanical Ventilation & Hemodynamic Resuscitation (15%), and Burns, Wound Care & Surgical Nutrition (10%).
Time Limit
Written short-answer papers plus an OSCE and viva component.
Passing Score
Overall pass mark 50% with a 50% subminimum in each of the two components (written and oral/OSCE/OSPE/clinical).
Exam Fee
R24 650 (Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), College of Surgeons)
Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg Exam Content Outline
Severe Polytrauma & Hemorrhagic Shock Management
Damage control resuscitation, massive transfusion protocols, trauma-induced coagulopathy, TEG/ROTEM, REBOA, thoracic and abdominal trauma, TBI management, and pelvic fractures.
Surgical Sepsis & Abdominal Compartment Syndrome
Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 guidelines, intra-abdominal hypertension, open abdomen, relaparotomy, necrotizing soft tissue infections, acute pancreatitis, source control, and antimicrobials.
Post-Operative ICU Care & Complications
Acute kidney injury, renal replacement therapy, anastomotic leak, post-op MI and VTE prophylaxis, delirium, tracheostomy timing, and organ dysfunction.
Mechanical Ventilation & Hemodynamic Resuscitation
Berlin ARDS criteria, lung-protective ventilation, prone positioning, driving pressure, hemodynamic monitoring, fluid responsiveness, vasopressors, and inotropes.
Burns, Wound Care & Surgical Nutrition
Burn shock resuscitation (Parkland formula), inhalation injury, surgical burn wound excision, enteral vs parenteral nutrition, indirect calorimetry, NPWT, and tight glycemic control.
How to Pass the Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Overall pass mark 50% with a 50% subminimum in each of the two components (written and oral/OSCE/OSPE/clinical).
- Assessment: Two components each contributing 50%: a written component (short-answer written papers) and an oral/OSCE/OSPE/clinical component. Content spans 5 blueprint domains: Severe Polytrauma & Hemorrhagic Shock Management (30%), Surgical Sepsis & Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (25%), Post-Operative ICU Care & Complications (20%), Mechanical Ventilation & Hemodynamic Resuscitation (15%), and Burns, Wound Care & Surgical Nutrition (10%).
- Time limit: Written short-answer papers plus an OSCE and viva component.
- Exam fee: R24 650
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
Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of the CMSA Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg examination?
The exit examination has two components, each contributing 50%: a written component (short-answer written papers) and an oral/OSCE/OSPE/clinical component. Candidates must achieve an overall 50% with a 50% subminimum in each component. This free question bank provides 100 practice MCQs as a study aid and does not replicate the official format.
What are the eligibility requirements for Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg?
Candidates must hold an FCS(SA) or equivalent primary specialist surgical qualification recognized by the HPCSA, be registered as a specialist surgeon, and have completed accredited surgical ICU fellowship training.
What is the examination fee for Cert Critical Care(SA) Surg?
The examination fee is R24 650 according to the CMSA fee schedule.