FISDAP Airway Practice Examination
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with a decreased level of consciousness is found supine
and has noisy, snoring respirations. What is the most appropriate
initial airway intervention?
A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
B. Apply a nonrebreather mask
C. Perform a head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver when trauma is not
suspected
D. Begin chest compressions
Answer: C. Perform a head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver when trauma is
not suspected
Rationale: Snoring respirations commonly indicate partial upper-
airway obstruction caused by the tongue falling backward in a patient
with decreased consciousness. Opening the airway is the immediate
priority. When cervical spine injury is not suspected, the head-tilt/chin-
lift maneuver is an appropriate initial technique. Oxygen
administration may follow, but it does not correct the mechanical
obstruction.
2. Which structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A. Epiglottis
B. Uvula
,C. Thyroid cartilage
D. Vocal cords
Answer: A. Epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped structure that helps cover the
laryngeal opening during swallowing. This action helps direct food
and fluids toward the esophagus rather than the airway. Failure of
normal airway protection increases the risk of aspiration.
3. A conscious adult has severe foreign-body airway obstruction and
cannot speak, cough effectively, or breathe. Which intervention is
indicated?
A. Give oxygen by nasal cannula
B. Perform abdominal thrusts
C. Insert an oropharyngeal airway
D. Encourage the patient to drink water
Answer: B. Perform abdominal thrusts
Rationale: A conscious adult with severe airway obstruction who
cannot effectively cough, speak, or breathe requires immediate
treatment to relieve the obstruction. Abdominal thrusts can create an
upward pressure wave capable of dislodging the foreign body. An
airway adjunct should not be forced through an obstructed airway.
4. Which finding is most suggestive of complete upper-airway
obstruction in a conscious patient?
A. Loud wheezing
B. Productive coughing
C. Rapid speech
D. Inability to speak or cough effectively
Answer: D. Inability to speak or cough effectively
,Rationale: A patient with complete or near-complete airway obstruction
may be unable to speak, cough effectively, or move air. A patient who
can cough forcefully is still moving air and should generally be
encouraged to continue coughing while being closely observed.
5. What is the primary purpose of an oropharyngeal airway?
A. To prevent the tongue from obstructing the pharynx
B. To provide positive-pressure ventilation
C. To remove secretions from the bronchi
D. To deliver a higher oxygen concentration
Answer: A. To prevent the tongue from obstructing the pharynx
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway, or OPA, is designed to maintain
patency of the upper airway by preventing the tongue from occluding
the pharynx. It does not provide ventilation or oxygen by itself. It is
generally appropriate for an unconscious patient without an intact gag
reflex.
6. Which patient is generally the most appropriate candidate for an
oropharyngeal airway?
A. An alert patient with a strong gag reflex
B. A semiconscious patient who is vomiting
C. An unconscious patient without a gag reflex
D. A conscious patient with facial trauma
Answer: C. An unconscious patient without a gag reflex
Rationale: An OPA can stimulate gagging, vomiting, and possible
aspiration in a patient with an intact gag reflex. Therefore, it is
generally used in an unconscious patient who lacks a gag reflex. A
conscious or semiconscious patient with airway-protective reflexes
may be better suited to another airway strategy.
, 7. What is a major advantage of a nasopharyngeal airway compared
with an oropharyngeal airway?
A. It completely prevents aspiration
B. It can often be tolerated by a patient with an intact gag reflex
C. It provides mechanical ventilation
D. It directly oxygenates the alveoli
Answer: B. It can often be tolerated by a patient with an intact gag
reflex
Rationale: An NPA is generally better tolerated than an OPA in
patients who are conscious or semiconscious and have an intact gag
reflex. It helps maintain upper-airway patency without occupying the
mouth. It does not provide ventilation or eliminate the risk of
aspiration.
8. Which condition is a significant contraindication or reason for
caution when considering insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Controlled hypertension
C. Isolated ankle injury
D. Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe midface trauma
Answer: D. Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe midface
trauma
Rationale: Severe facial trauma or suspected basilar skull fracture
creates concern about inserting an NPA because of potential injury to
structures surrounding the nasal passages and skull base. In such
circumstances, the provider should use an alternative airway strategy
appropriate to the patient's condition and local protocols.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with a decreased level of consciousness is found supine
and has noisy, snoring respirations. What is the most appropriate
initial airway intervention?
A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
B. Apply a nonrebreather mask
C. Perform a head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver when trauma is not
suspected
D. Begin chest compressions
Answer: C. Perform a head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver when trauma is
not suspected
Rationale: Snoring respirations commonly indicate partial upper-
airway obstruction caused by the tongue falling backward in a patient
with decreased consciousness. Opening the airway is the immediate
priority. When cervical spine injury is not suspected, the head-tilt/chin-
lift maneuver is an appropriate initial technique. Oxygen
administration may follow, but it does not correct the mechanical
obstruction.
2. Which structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A. Epiglottis
B. Uvula
,C. Thyroid cartilage
D. Vocal cords
Answer: A. Epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped structure that helps cover the
laryngeal opening during swallowing. This action helps direct food
and fluids toward the esophagus rather than the airway. Failure of
normal airway protection increases the risk of aspiration.
3. A conscious adult has severe foreign-body airway obstruction and
cannot speak, cough effectively, or breathe. Which intervention is
indicated?
A. Give oxygen by nasal cannula
B. Perform abdominal thrusts
C. Insert an oropharyngeal airway
D. Encourage the patient to drink water
Answer: B. Perform abdominal thrusts
Rationale: A conscious adult with severe airway obstruction who
cannot effectively cough, speak, or breathe requires immediate
treatment to relieve the obstruction. Abdominal thrusts can create an
upward pressure wave capable of dislodging the foreign body. An
airway adjunct should not be forced through an obstructed airway.
4. Which finding is most suggestive of complete upper-airway
obstruction in a conscious patient?
A. Loud wheezing
B. Productive coughing
C. Rapid speech
D. Inability to speak or cough effectively
Answer: D. Inability to speak or cough effectively
,Rationale: A patient with complete or near-complete airway obstruction
may be unable to speak, cough effectively, or move air. A patient who
can cough forcefully is still moving air and should generally be
encouraged to continue coughing while being closely observed.
5. What is the primary purpose of an oropharyngeal airway?
A. To prevent the tongue from obstructing the pharynx
B. To provide positive-pressure ventilation
C. To remove secretions from the bronchi
D. To deliver a higher oxygen concentration
Answer: A. To prevent the tongue from obstructing the pharynx
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway, or OPA, is designed to maintain
patency of the upper airway by preventing the tongue from occluding
the pharynx. It does not provide ventilation or oxygen by itself. It is
generally appropriate for an unconscious patient without an intact gag
reflex.
6. Which patient is generally the most appropriate candidate for an
oropharyngeal airway?
A. An alert patient with a strong gag reflex
B. A semiconscious patient who is vomiting
C. An unconscious patient without a gag reflex
D. A conscious patient with facial trauma
Answer: C. An unconscious patient without a gag reflex
Rationale: An OPA can stimulate gagging, vomiting, and possible
aspiration in a patient with an intact gag reflex. Therefore, it is
generally used in an unconscious patient who lacks a gag reflex. A
conscious or semiconscious patient with airway-protective reflexes
may be better suited to another airway strategy.
, 7. What is a major advantage of a nasopharyngeal airway compared
with an oropharyngeal airway?
A. It completely prevents aspiration
B. It can often be tolerated by a patient with an intact gag reflex
C. It provides mechanical ventilation
D. It directly oxygenates the alveoli
Answer: B. It can often be tolerated by a patient with an intact gag
reflex
Rationale: An NPA is generally better tolerated than an OPA in
patients who are conscious or semiconscious and have an intact gag
reflex. It helps maintain upper-airway patency without occupying the
mouth. It does not provide ventilation or eliminate the risk of
aspiration.
8. Which condition is a significant contraindication or reason for
caution when considering insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Controlled hypertension
C. Isolated ankle injury
D. Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe midface trauma
Answer: D. Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe midface
trauma
Rationale: Severe facial trauma or suspected basilar skull fracture
creates concern about inserting an NPA because of potential injury to
structures surrounding the nasal passages and skull base. In such
circumstances, the provider should use an alternative airway strategy
appropriate to the patient's condition and local protocols.
