Airway Management - Lesson 4 & 5
Post-test
Verified Questions and Answers for
2026/2027
A nurse is caring for a client with an artificial airway. Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Moist oral mucosa
B. Thick secretions blocking the airway
C. Respiratory rate of 18/min
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
✓✓ Answer: B. Thick secretions blocking the airway
A nurse is preparing to suction a client. Which action should be performed first?
A. Insert the catheter while applying suction
B. Hyperoxygenate the client if appropriate
C. Limit oxygen administration
D. Place the client flat
✓✓ Answer: B. Hyperoxygenate the client if appropriate
Which client would benefit most from a nasopharyngeal airway?
A. Unresponsive client without a gag reflex
B. Conscious client with partial airway obstruction and an intact gag reflex
C. Client with severe facial trauma
D. Client with a fractured skull base
✓✓ Answer: B. Conscious client with partial airway obstruction and an intact gag reflex
Which assessment finding suggests complete airway obstruction?
A. Loud coughing
B. Ability to answer questions
C. Absence of airflow despite breathing effort
D. Mild wheezing
✓✓ Answer: C. Absence of airflow despite breathing effort
1
,A nurse inserts an oropharyngeal airway correctly. Which finding indicates proper placement?
A. The client vomits immediately.
B. Air moves freely with visible chest rise.
C. The airway protrudes excessively from the mouth.
D. The tongue blocks the airway.
✓✓ Answer: B. Air moves freely with visible chest rise.
What is the most appropriate reason for performing oral care in a client with an airway adjunct?
A. To lower blood pressure
B. To reduce the risk of infection and maintain mucosal integrity
C. To improve circulation
D. To prevent muscle spasms
✓✓ Answer: B. To reduce the risk of infection and maintain mucosal integrity
Which airway sound is commonly associated with secretions in the upper airway?
A. Crackles
B. Gurgling
C. Pleural rub
D. Fine wheezes
✓✓ Answer: B. Gurgling
A nurse is unable to ventilate a client effectively using a bag-valve mask. Which action should be
taken first?
A. Reposition the airway
B. Stop ventilation permanently
C. Remove the oxygen source
D. Sit the client upright immediately
✓✓ Answer: A. Reposition the airway
Which factor increases the risk of airway obstruction in an unconscious client?
A. Increased muscle tone
B. Loss of tongue muscle tone
C. Increased saliva production only
D. Elevated blood pressure
✓✓ Answer: B. Loss of tongue muscle tone
2
, Which observation indicates effective suctioning?
A. Increased gurgling sounds
B. Improved breath sounds after secretion removal
C. Oxygen saturation continues to decrease
D. Increased respiratory distress
✓✓ Answer: B. Improved breath sounds after secretion removal
A nurse is selecting a suction catheter. Which size is generally recommended?
A. A catheter that completely fills the airway
B. A catheter that occupies less than half the airway diameter
C. The largest available catheter
D. The smallest pediatric catheter for every adult
✓✓ Answer: B. A catheter that occupies less than half the airway diameter
Which client requires frequent airway reassessment?
A. Client discharged home yesterday
B. Client with decreased level of consciousness
C. Client waiting for discharge paperwork
D. Client with controlled hypertension
✓✓ Answer: B. Client with decreased level of consciousness
Which complication may occur if suctioning is performed too frequently?
A. Airway trauma
B. Improved hydration
C. Lower body temperature
D. Increased appetite
✓✓ Answer: A. Airway trauma
A nurse notices the client is cyanotic around the lips. What is the priority action?
A. Document the finding for later review
B. Assess and restore airway patency immediately
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Reassure the client without assessment
✓✓ Answer: B. Assess and restore airway patency immediately
3
Post-test
Verified Questions and Answers for
2026/2027
A nurse is caring for a client with an artificial airway. Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Moist oral mucosa
B. Thick secretions blocking the airway
C. Respiratory rate of 18/min
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
✓✓ Answer: B. Thick secretions blocking the airway
A nurse is preparing to suction a client. Which action should be performed first?
A. Insert the catheter while applying suction
B. Hyperoxygenate the client if appropriate
C. Limit oxygen administration
D. Place the client flat
✓✓ Answer: B. Hyperoxygenate the client if appropriate
Which client would benefit most from a nasopharyngeal airway?
A. Unresponsive client without a gag reflex
B. Conscious client with partial airway obstruction and an intact gag reflex
C. Client with severe facial trauma
D. Client with a fractured skull base
✓✓ Answer: B. Conscious client with partial airway obstruction and an intact gag reflex
Which assessment finding suggests complete airway obstruction?
A. Loud coughing
B. Ability to answer questions
C. Absence of airflow despite breathing effort
D. Mild wheezing
✓✓ Answer: C. Absence of airflow despite breathing effort
1
,A nurse inserts an oropharyngeal airway correctly. Which finding indicates proper placement?
A. The client vomits immediately.
B. Air moves freely with visible chest rise.
C. The airway protrudes excessively from the mouth.
D. The tongue blocks the airway.
✓✓ Answer: B. Air moves freely with visible chest rise.
What is the most appropriate reason for performing oral care in a client with an airway adjunct?
A. To lower blood pressure
B. To reduce the risk of infection and maintain mucosal integrity
C. To improve circulation
D. To prevent muscle spasms
✓✓ Answer: B. To reduce the risk of infection and maintain mucosal integrity
Which airway sound is commonly associated with secretions in the upper airway?
A. Crackles
B. Gurgling
C. Pleural rub
D. Fine wheezes
✓✓ Answer: B. Gurgling
A nurse is unable to ventilate a client effectively using a bag-valve mask. Which action should be
taken first?
A. Reposition the airway
B. Stop ventilation permanently
C. Remove the oxygen source
D. Sit the client upright immediately
✓✓ Answer: A. Reposition the airway
Which factor increases the risk of airway obstruction in an unconscious client?
A. Increased muscle tone
B. Loss of tongue muscle tone
C. Increased saliva production only
D. Elevated blood pressure
✓✓ Answer: B. Loss of tongue muscle tone
2
, Which observation indicates effective suctioning?
A. Increased gurgling sounds
B. Improved breath sounds after secretion removal
C. Oxygen saturation continues to decrease
D. Increased respiratory distress
✓✓ Answer: B. Improved breath sounds after secretion removal
A nurse is selecting a suction catheter. Which size is generally recommended?
A. A catheter that completely fills the airway
B. A catheter that occupies less than half the airway diameter
C. The largest available catheter
D. The smallest pediatric catheter for every adult
✓✓ Answer: B. A catheter that occupies less than half the airway diameter
Which client requires frequent airway reassessment?
A. Client discharged home yesterday
B. Client with decreased level of consciousness
C. Client waiting for discharge paperwork
D. Client with controlled hypertension
✓✓ Answer: B. Client with decreased level of consciousness
Which complication may occur if suctioning is performed too frequently?
A. Airway trauma
B. Improved hydration
C. Lower body temperature
D. Increased appetite
✓✓ Answer: A. Airway trauma
A nurse notices the client is cyanotic around the lips. What is the priority action?
A. Document the finding for later review
B. Assess and restore airway patency immediately
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Reassure the client without assessment
✓✓ Answer: B. Assess and restore airway patency immediately
3
