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Paramedic FISDAP Airway Exam
Questions and Complete Solutions
Graded A+ EXAM
70 High-Yield Questions · Multiple Choice ·
Complete Solutions
Total70
Answered0
Score0%
Correct0
Incorrect0
Reveal All AnswersToggle ExplanationsReset Exam
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
A.Epiglottis
B.Vallecula
C.Nasopharynx
D.Hypopharynx
📖 Rationale: The nasopharynx is the most superior portion of the pharynx,
located posterior to the nasal cavity. It lies above the soft palate and connects the
nasal passages to the oropharynx.
A.Thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone
B.Cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage
C.Thyroid cartilage and trachea
D.Cricoid cartilage and first tracheal ring
📖 Rationale: The cricothyroid membrane spans between the inferior border of
the thyroid cartilage and the superior border of the cricoid cartilage — the
landmark for surgical/needle cricothyrotomy.
A.Type I pneumocytes
B.Type II pneumocytes
C.Goblet cells
D.Clara cells
,2
📖 Rationale: Goblet cells are mucus-secreting epithelial cells found throughout
the trachea and bronchi. They produce mucus that traps inhaled debris and
pathogens.
A.Is longer and angles sharply left
B.Is shorter, wider, and more vertical
C.Has a smaller diameter
D.Branches into 2 lobar bronchi
📖 Rationale: The right mainstem bronchus is shorter, wider, and more vertical
than the left. This anatomical difference makes it the more common site for
inadvertent ETT advancement and foreign body aspiration.
A.The amount of air in the lungs after a maximal inspiration
B.The volume remaining after normal tidal exhalation
C.The total lung volume minus the residual volume
D.The maximum amount of air forcibly exhaled from peak inspiration
📖 Rationale: FRC = Expiratory Reserve Volume + Residual Volume. It is the
volume left in the lungs at the end of a passive (normal) exhalation. In apneic
patients, FRC is the oxygen reservoir that extends safe apnea time.
ASSESSMENT & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
A.SpO₂ of 74%
B.RR of 28
C.Paradoxical chest movement
D.Accessory muscle use
📖 Rationale: Paradoxical chest movement (the chest moving inward on
inspiration) indicates loss of the mechanical pump function and is a sign of
impending respiratory arrest, not just distress.
A.Metabolic alkalosis
B.Respiratory alkalosis uncompensated
C.Compensated metabolic acidosis
D.Mixed respiratory and metabolic alkalosis
📖 Rationale: Respiratory alkalosis uncompensated: pH elevated, PaCO₂ low
(blown off CO₂), HCO₃ normal (no renal compensation yet — this takes hours to
days).
A.3–4 mL/kg
, 3
B.5–7 mL/kg
C.10–12 mL/kg
D.15–18 mL/kg
📖 Rationale: Normal tidal volume is 5–7 mL/kg of ideal body weight. For a 70
kg adult, this is approximately 350–500 mL per breath.
A.ROSC
B.Esophageal intubation
C.Effective compressions
D.Hypoventilation
📖 Rationale: A sudden drop in ETCO₂ to near zero during an established airway
suggests esophageal intubation (tube dislodgement) or complete airway
disconnection. ROSC causes a RISE in ETCO₂.
A.< 10 mmHg after 20 minutes
B.< 15 mmHg at initiation
C.> 10 mmHg after 20 minutes
D.> 20 mmHg after 20 minutes
📖 Rationale: Studies show ETCO₂ > 20 mmHg at 20 minutes of CPR is
associated with significantly higher likelihood of ROSC and survival. Values
below 10 mmHg after 20 min suggest poor prognosis.
A.pH increases, temperature decreases, 2,3-DPG decreases
B.pH decreases, temperature increases, 2,3-DPG increases
C.pH increases, PaCO₂ decreases
D.PaO₂ increases, pH normalizes
📖 Rationale: RIGHT shift (decreased hemoglobin-O₂ affinity, more O₂ released
to tissues) occurs with: acidosis (↓pH), hyperthermia (↑Temp), hypercapnia
(↑CO₂), and ↑2,3-DPG. Remembered as the CADET mnemonic.
BASIC AIRWAY MANAGEMENT
A.Facing laterally
B.Toward the nasal septum
C.Away from the septum
D.Posteriorly toward the occiput
Paramedic FISDAP Airway Exam
Questions and Complete Solutions
Graded A+ EXAM
70 High-Yield Questions · Multiple Choice ·
Complete Solutions
Total70
Answered0
Score0%
Correct0
Incorrect0
Reveal All AnswersToggle ExplanationsReset Exam
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
A.Epiglottis
B.Vallecula
C.Nasopharynx
D.Hypopharynx
📖 Rationale: The nasopharynx is the most superior portion of the pharynx,
located posterior to the nasal cavity. It lies above the soft palate and connects the
nasal passages to the oropharynx.
A.Thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone
B.Cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage
C.Thyroid cartilage and trachea
D.Cricoid cartilage and first tracheal ring
📖 Rationale: The cricothyroid membrane spans between the inferior border of
the thyroid cartilage and the superior border of the cricoid cartilage — the
landmark for surgical/needle cricothyrotomy.
A.Type I pneumocytes
B.Type II pneumocytes
C.Goblet cells
D.Clara cells
,2
📖 Rationale: Goblet cells are mucus-secreting epithelial cells found throughout
the trachea and bronchi. They produce mucus that traps inhaled debris and
pathogens.
A.Is longer and angles sharply left
B.Is shorter, wider, and more vertical
C.Has a smaller diameter
D.Branches into 2 lobar bronchi
📖 Rationale: The right mainstem bronchus is shorter, wider, and more vertical
than the left. This anatomical difference makes it the more common site for
inadvertent ETT advancement and foreign body aspiration.
A.The amount of air in the lungs after a maximal inspiration
B.The volume remaining after normal tidal exhalation
C.The total lung volume minus the residual volume
D.The maximum amount of air forcibly exhaled from peak inspiration
📖 Rationale: FRC = Expiratory Reserve Volume + Residual Volume. It is the
volume left in the lungs at the end of a passive (normal) exhalation. In apneic
patients, FRC is the oxygen reservoir that extends safe apnea time.
ASSESSMENT & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
A.SpO₂ of 74%
B.RR of 28
C.Paradoxical chest movement
D.Accessory muscle use
📖 Rationale: Paradoxical chest movement (the chest moving inward on
inspiration) indicates loss of the mechanical pump function and is a sign of
impending respiratory arrest, not just distress.
A.Metabolic alkalosis
B.Respiratory alkalosis uncompensated
C.Compensated metabolic acidosis
D.Mixed respiratory and metabolic alkalosis
📖 Rationale: Respiratory alkalosis uncompensated: pH elevated, PaCO₂ low
(blown off CO₂), HCO₃ normal (no renal compensation yet — this takes hours to
days).
A.3–4 mL/kg
, 3
B.5–7 mL/kg
C.10–12 mL/kg
D.15–18 mL/kg
📖 Rationale: Normal tidal volume is 5–7 mL/kg of ideal body weight. For a 70
kg adult, this is approximately 350–500 mL per breath.
A.ROSC
B.Esophageal intubation
C.Effective compressions
D.Hypoventilation
📖 Rationale: A sudden drop in ETCO₂ to near zero during an established airway
suggests esophageal intubation (tube dislodgement) or complete airway
disconnection. ROSC causes a RISE in ETCO₂.
A.< 10 mmHg after 20 minutes
B.< 15 mmHg at initiation
C.> 10 mmHg after 20 minutes
D.> 20 mmHg after 20 minutes
📖 Rationale: Studies show ETCO₂ > 20 mmHg at 20 minutes of CPR is
associated with significantly higher likelihood of ROSC and survival. Values
below 10 mmHg after 20 min suggest poor prognosis.
A.pH increases, temperature decreases, 2,3-DPG decreases
B.pH decreases, temperature increases, 2,3-DPG increases
C.pH increases, PaCO₂ decreases
D.PaO₂ increases, pH normalizes
📖 Rationale: RIGHT shift (decreased hemoglobin-O₂ affinity, more O₂ released
to tissues) occurs with: acidosis (↓pH), hyperthermia (↑Temp), hypercapnia
(↑CO₂), and ↑2,3-DPG. Remembered as the CADET mnemonic.
BASIC AIRWAY MANAGEMENT
A.Facing laterally
B.Toward the nasal septum
C.Away from the septum
D.Posteriorly toward the occiput
