FISDAP Airway Skills Practice
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A conscious adult patient is speaking clearly, has a normal
respiratory rate, and shows no signs of airway obstruction. Which
finding best indicates that the airway is currently patent?
A. The patient has a weak radial pulse
B. The patient has diminished breath sounds bilaterally
C. The patient is using accessory muscles
D. The patient can speak in complete sentences
Answer: D. The patient can speak in complete sentences
Rationale: A patient who can speak clearly in complete sentences is
moving air sufficiently through the upper airway to generate normal
speech. Although speech alone does not rule out every respiratory
problem, the ability to speak normally is a useful immediate indicator
of airway patency. Accessory-muscle use, diminished breath sounds,
and a weak pulse may indicate other problems but do not by
themselves establish that the airway is patent.
2. An unresponsive adult has no suspected spinal injury and is not
breathing normally. Which initial airway maneuver is generally
appropriate?
,A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Abdominal thrusts
C. Blind finger sweep
D. Jaw-thrust only
Answer: A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
Rationale: The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is used to open the airway
when cervical spine injury is not suspected. Loss of muscle tone in an
unconscious patient commonly allows the tongue and soft tissues to
fall backward and obstruct airflow. The maneuver moves the mandible
and tongue forward, helping establish an open airway. If trauma with
possible cervical injury is suspected, a jaw-thrust maneuver is
generally preferred.
3. A patient with suspected cervical spine trauma requires airway
opening. Which maneuver is preferred when adequate airway
opening can be achieved without head extension?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Finger sweep
D. Neck hyperextension
Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale: The jaw-thrust maneuver is preferred for opening the
airway in a patient with suspected cervical spine injury because it can
move the mandible forward while minimizing movement of the cervical
spine. Airway management always takes priority when ventilation is
inadequate, however. If the airway cannot be adequately opened using
a jaw thrust, an airway provider may need to modify the technique or
use other appropriate interventions according to local protocols.
, 4. During airway assessment, a patient produces loud, low-pitched
snoring sounds. What is the most likely cause?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Partial upper-airway obstruction by relaxed soft tissue
D. Fluid in the alveoli
Answer: C. Partial upper-airway obstruction by relaxed soft tissue
Rationale: Snoring respirations commonly occur when relaxed tissues
of the tongue, soft palate, or pharynx partially obstruct the upper
airway, particularly in patients with decreased consciousness.
Repositioning the airway and using an appropriate airway maneuver
may improve airflow. Bronchospasm generally produces wheezing,
while fluid in the lower respiratory tract can cause crackles or other
abnormal breath sounds rather than classic snoring.
5. A patient has gurgling respirations and visible fluid in the mouth.
What should the provider do first?
A. Insert an oropharyngeal airway immediately
B. Apply a nonrebreather mask
C. Begin chest compressions
D. Suction the airway
Answer: D. Suction the airway
Rationale: Gurgling usually indicates fluid, blood, vomitus, or another
secretion obstructing the upper airway. Suction should be used
promptly to remove the material and restore airway patency. An airway
adjunct or oxygen device cannot compensate adequately for an airway
filled with fluid. The provider should position the patient
, appropriately, use suction according to training and protocol, and
reassess the airway after the material has been removed.
6. Which patient is the most appropriate candidate for an
oropharyngeal airway?
A. An unresponsive patient without an intact gag reflex
B. An alert patient with an intact gag reflex
C. A conscious patient with severe nausea
D. A patient who is actively vomiting and awake
Answer: A. An unresponsive patient without an intact gag reflex
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway, or OPA, is generally used in an
unconscious or deeply unresponsive patient who lacks an intact gag
reflex. Inserting an OPA into a patient with an active gag reflex can
cause gagging, vomiting, and potential aspiration. It is an airway-
maintenance device rather than a substitute for positioning,
suctioning, or ventilatory support when those interventions are
required.
7. A semi-conscious patient has an intact gag reflex but needs an
airway adjunct. Which device is generally more appropriate?
A. Oropharyngeal airway
B. Nasopharyngeal airway
C. Esophageal obturator
D. Bite block
Answer: B. Nasopharyngeal airway
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway, or NPA, can often be tolerated by
patients who have an intact gag reflex and need assistance
maintaining upper-airway patency. It is inserted through the nostril
and extends into the pharynx. The provider must consider
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A conscious adult patient is speaking clearly, has a normal
respiratory rate, and shows no signs of airway obstruction. Which
finding best indicates that the airway is currently patent?
A. The patient has a weak radial pulse
B. The patient has diminished breath sounds bilaterally
C. The patient is using accessory muscles
D. The patient can speak in complete sentences
Answer: D. The patient can speak in complete sentences
Rationale: A patient who can speak clearly in complete sentences is
moving air sufficiently through the upper airway to generate normal
speech. Although speech alone does not rule out every respiratory
problem, the ability to speak normally is a useful immediate indicator
of airway patency. Accessory-muscle use, diminished breath sounds,
and a weak pulse may indicate other problems but do not by
themselves establish that the airway is patent.
2. An unresponsive adult has no suspected spinal injury and is not
breathing normally. Which initial airway maneuver is generally
appropriate?
,A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Abdominal thrusts
C. Blind finger sweep
D. Jaw-thrust only
Answer: A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
Rationale: The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is used to open the airway
when cervical spine injury is not suspected. Loss of muscle tone in an
unconscious patient commonly allows the tongue and soft tissues to
fall backward and obstruct airflow. The maneuver moves the mandible
and tongue forward, helping establish an open airway. If trauma with
possible cervical injury is suspected, a jaw-thrust maneuver is
generally preferred.
3. A patient with suspected cervical spine trauma requires airway
opening. Which maneuver is preferred when adequate airway
opening can be achieved without head extension?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Finger sweep
D. Neck hyperextension
Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale: The jaw-thrust maneuver is preferred for opening the
airway in a patient with suspected cervical spine injury because it can
move the mandible forward while minimizing movement of the cervical
spine. Airway management always takes priority when ventilation is
inadequate, however. If the airway cannot be adequately opened using
a jaw thrust, an airway provider may need to modify the technique or
use other appropriate interventions according to local protocols.
, 4. During airway assessment, a patient produces loud, low-pitched
snoring sounds. What is the most likely cause?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Partial upper-airway obstruction by relaxed soft tissue
D. Fluid in the alveoli
Answer: C. Partial upper-airway obstruction by relaxed soft tissue
Rationale: Snoring respirations commonly occur when relaxed tissues
of the tongue, soft palate, or pharynx partially obstruct the upper
airway, particularly in patients with decreased consciousness.
Repositioning the airway and using an appropriate airway maneuver
may improve airflow. Bronchospasm generally produces wheezing,
while fluid in the lower respiratory tract can cause crackles or other
abnormal breath sounds rather than classic snoring.
5. A patient has gurgling respirations and visible fluid in the mouth.
What should the provider do first?
A. Insert an oropharyngeal airway immediately
B. Apply a nonrebreather mask
C. Begin chest compressions
D. Suction the airway
Answer: D. Suction the airway
Rationale: Gurgling usually indicates fluid, blood, vomitus, or another
secretion obstructing the upper airway. Suction should be used
promptly to remove the material and restore airway patency. An airway
adjunct or oxygen device cannot compensate adequately for an airway
filled with fluid. The provider should position the patient
, appropriately, use suction according to training and protocol, and
reassess the airway after the material has been removed.
6. Which patient is the most appropriate candidate for an
oropharyngeal airway?
A. An unresponsive patient without an intact gag reflex
B. An alert patient with an intact gag reflex
C. A conscious patient with severe nausea
D. A patient who is actively vomiting and awake
Answer: A. An unresponsive patient without an intact gag reflex
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway, or OPA, is generally used in an
unconscious or deeply unresponsive patient who lacks an intact gag
reflex. Inserting an OPA into a patient with an active gag reflex can
cause gagging, vomiting, and potential aspiration. It is an airway-
maintenance device rather than a substitute for positioning,
suctioning, or ventilatory support when those interventions are
required.
7. A semi-conscious patient has an intact gag reflex but needs an
airway adjunct. Which device is generally more appropriate?
A. Oropharyngeal airway
B. Nasopharyngeal airway
C. Esophageal obturator
D. Bite block
Answer: B. Nasopharyngeal airway
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway, or NPA, can often be tolerated by
patients who have an intact gag reflex and need assistance
maintaining upper-airway patency. It is inserted through the nostril
and extends into the pharynx. The provider must consider
