EMT Block 3 Exam (PDF) | 2026 Airway Management
1. The upper airway consists of all structures from the:
A) Trachea to the alveoli
B) Nose and mouth to the cricoid cartilage
C) Pharynx to the bronchi
D) Larynx to the carina
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The upper airway extends from the nares and mouth to the level of the cricoid
cartilage. The lower airway begins below the cricoid.
2. The primary function of the upper airway is to:
A) Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
B) Warm, filter, and humidify inspired air
C) Produce surfactant
D) Regulate breathing rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The upper airway conditions air by warming, humidifying, and filtering particulates
before it reaches the lower airways.
,3. Which structure is responsible for preventing food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A) Uvula
B) Epiglottis
C) Vocal cords
D) Thyroid cartilage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped cartilage that folds over the glottic opening during
swallowing to protect the airway.
4. The narrowest part of the adult airway is the:
A) Nares
B) Glottis
C) Cricoid cartilage
D) Trachea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In adults, the glottis (space between the vocal cords) is the narrowest portion. In
children, the cricoid cartilage is the narrowest.
5. The pediatric airway differs from the adult airway in that children have:
A) A larger, more rigid trachea
B) A proportionally larger tongue and a more anterior and superior larynx
C) A longer, narrower epiglottis
D) A lower respiratory rate at baseline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A child's tongue is larger relative to the oral cavity, and the larynx is more anterior
and cephalad, making airway management more challenging.
6. The vallecula is a landmark located between the:
A) Epiglottis and the base of the tongue
B) Vocal cords and the trachea
C) Hard palate and soft palate
D) Cricoid and thyroid cartilages
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The vallecula is the space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis, where
the tip of a Macintosh laryngoscope blade is placed during intubation.
,7. The carina is the point where the:
A) Trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi
B) Esophagus meets the stomach
C) Pharynx divides into the trachea and esophagus
D) Larynx transitions into the trachea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The carina is a cartilaginous ridge at the tracheal bifurcation; stimulation can cause
coughing and bronchospasm.
8. The right mainstem bronchus is more likely to be the site of an aspirated foreign body
because it is:
A) Narrower and longer than the left
B) Shorter, wider, and more vertical than the left
C) More posterior than the left
D) Surrounded by less lung tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The right bronchus is anatomically aligned more directly with the trachea, making
aspiration or right mainstem intubation more common.
9. The alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries where gas exchange occurs by the
process of:
A) Active transport
B) Osmosis
C) Simple diffusion
D) Filtration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen and carbon dioxide move across the alveolar-capillary membrane by
diffusion, following their partial pressure gradients.
10. Surfactant is a substance produced by alveolar cells that:
A) Traps dust and pathogens
B) Reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse
C) Warms and humidifies air
D) Initiates the cough reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactant, produced by type II pneumocytes, decreases surface tension in the
alveoli, making it easier to inflate the lungs and preventing atelectasis.
, 11. The phrenic nerve innervates the diaphragm and originates from spinal nerves:
A) C1–C2
B) C3–C5
C) T1–T4
D) L1–L3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive." Injury above C3 can paralyze the diaphragm
and cause respiratory failure.
12. The primary muscle of respiration is the:
A) Sternocleidomastoid
B) Intercostal muscle
C) Diaphragm
D) Rectus abdominis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and flattens, creating negative intrathoracic pressure and
drawing air into the lungs.
13. During normal quiet inspiration, the diaphragm moves:
A) Upward
B) Downward
C) Laterally
D) Not at all
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The diaphragm descends, increasing thoracic volume and decreasing intrathoracic
pressure, allowing air to flow in.
14. Accessory muscle use during breathing is a sign of:
A) Normal respiration
B) Respiratory distress or failure
C) Deep sleep
D) Hyperventilation syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sternocleidomastoid, scalene, and intercostal muscles are recruited during
increased work of breathing, indicating respiratory compromise.
15. The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is:
A) 8–10 breaths per minute
1. The upper airway consists of all structures from the:
A) Trachea to the alveoli
B) Nose and mouth to the cricoid cartilage
C) Pharynx to the bronchi
D) Larynx to the carina
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The upper airway extends from the nares and mouth to the level of the cricoid
cartilage. The lower airway begins below the cricoid.
2. The primary function of the upper airway is to:
A) Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
B) Warm, filter, and humidify inspired air
C) Produce surfactant
D) Regulate breathing rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The upper airway conditions air by warming, humidifying, and filtering particulates
before it reaches the lower airways.
,3. Which structure is responsible for preventing food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A) Uvula
B) Epiglottis
C) Vocal cords
D) Thyroid cartilage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped cartilage that folds over the glottic opening during
swallowing to protect the airway.
4. The narrowest part of the adult airway is the:
A) Nares
B) Glottis
C) Cricoid cartilage
D) Trachea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In adults, the glottis (space between the vocal cords) is the narrowest portion. In
children, the cricoid cartilage is the narrowest.
5. The pediatric airway differs from the adult airway in that children have:
A) A larger, more rigid trachea
B) A proportionally larger tongue and a more anterior and superior larynx
C) A longer, narrower epiglottis
D) A lower respiratory rate at baseline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A child's tongue is larger relative to the oral cavity, and the larynx is more anterior
and cephalad, making airway management more challenging.
6. The vallecula is a landmark located between the:
A) Epiglottis and the base of the tongue
B) Vocal cords and the trachea
C) Hard palate and soft palate
D) Cricoid and thyroid cartilages
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The vallecula is the space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis, where
the tip of a Macintosh laryngoscope blade is placed during intubation.
,7. The carina is the point where the:
A) Trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi
B) Esophagus meets the stomach
C) Pharynx divides into the trachea and esophagus
D) Larynx transitions into the trachea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The carina is a cartilaginous ridge at the tracheal bifurcation; stimulation can cause
coughing and bronchospasm.
8. The right mainstem bronchus is more likely to be the site of an aspirated foreign body
because it is:
A) Narrower and longer than the left
B) Shorter, wider, and more vertical than the left
C) More posterior than the left
D) Surrounded by less lung tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The right bronchus is anatomically aligned more directly with the trachea, making
aspiration or right mainstem intubation more common.
9. The alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries where gas exchange occurs by the
process of:
A) Active transport
B) Osmosis
C) Simple diffusion
D) Filtration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen and carbon dioxide move across the alveolar-capillary membrane by
diffusion, following their partial pressure gradients.
10. Surfactant is a substance produced by alveolar cells that:
A) Traps dust and pathogens
B) Reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse
C) Warms and humidifies air
D) Initiates the cough reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactant, produced by type II pneumocytes, decreases surface tension in the
alveoli, making it easier to inflate the lungs and preventing atelectasis.
, 11. The phrenic nerve innervates the diaphragm and originates from spinal nerves:
A) C1–C2
B) C3–C5
C) T1–T4
D) L1–L3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive." Injury above C3 can paralyze the diaphragm
and cause respiratory failure.
12. The primary muscle of respiration is the:
A) Sternocleidomastoid
B) Intercostal muscle
C) Diaphragm
D) Rectus abdominis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and flattens, creating negative intrathoracic pressure and
drawing air into the lungs.
13. During normal quiet inspiration, the diaphragm moves:
A) Upward
B) Downward
C) Laterally
D) Not at all
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The diaphragm descends, increasing thoracic volume and decreasing intrathoracic
pressure, allowing air to flow in.
14. Accessory muscle use during breathing is a sign of:
A) Normal respiration
B) Respiratory distress or failure
C) Deep sleep
D) Hyperventilation syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sternocleidomastoid, scalene, and intercostal muscles are recruited during
increased work of breathing, indicating respiratory compromise.
15. The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is:
A) 8–10 breaths per minute
