FISDAP Airway Intervention
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A patient is unconscious and has no gag reflex. Which airway
adjunct is generally most appropriate for maintaining airway
patency?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Nasal cannula
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: B. Oropharyngeal airway
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway (OPA) helps prevent the tongue
from obstructing the pharynx in an unresponsive patient without an
intact gag reflex. It should not be used in a conscious or
semiconscious patient with a gag reflex because insertion can provoke
gagging, vomiting, or aspiration.
2. When selecting an oropharyngeal airway for an adult, which
measurement is commonly used?
A. Corner of the mouth to angle of the jaw
B. Tip of the nose to earlobe
C. Chin to clavicle
D. Corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
,Answer: D. Corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
Rationale: Proper sizing helps ensure that the OPA reaches the
appropriate position without being too short or too long. A common
external measurement is from the corner of the mouth to the angle of
the mandible. Incorrect sizing may fail to relieve obstruction or may
worsen airway obstruction.
3. A conscious patient has significant airway obstruction from the
tongue but retains a gag reflex. Which adjunct is generally better
tolerated?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Supraglottic airway
D. Endotracheal tube
Answer: A. Nasopharyngeal airway
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) can often be used in
patients who are conscious or semiconscious and retain a gag reflex. It
passes through the nasal passage to help maintain an open upper
airway. An OPA is generally contraindicated when an intact gag reflex
is present.
4. Which finding is a contraindication or major concern for insertion
of a nasopharyngeal airway?
A. Mild anxiety
B. History of asthma
C. Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe facial trauma
D. Controlled hypertension
Answer: C. Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe facial trauma
,Rationale: Significant facial trauma or suspected basilar skull fracture
raises concern for complications from nasal airway insertion. Blood,
swelling, structural disruption, or a possible skull-base injury can
make the nasal route unsafe. The provider should follow local
protocols and consider alternative airway strategies when indicated.
5. A patient with inadequate spontaneous respirations requires
assisted ventilation with a bag-valve mask. What is the primary
purpose of the BVM?
A. Increase blood pressure directly
B. Provide positive-pressure ventilation
C. Remove gastric contents
D. Immobilize the cervical spine
Answer: B. Provide positive-pressure ventilation
Rationale: A bag-valve mask provides positive-pressure ventilation
when the patient's spontaneous breathing is absent or inadequate.
Effective ventilation moves oxygen-containing gas into the lungs and
facilitates carbon dioxide removal. Proper airway positioning, an
effective mask seal, and appropriate ventilation technique are essential
for effectiveness.
6. During BVM ventilation, an EMT notices that the patient's chest is
not rising. What should be done first?
A. Immediately increase ventilation pressure substantially
B. Insert two NPAs simultaneously
C. Reposition the airway and reassess the mask seal
D. Stop ventilating permanently
Answer: C. Reposition the airway and reassess the mask seal
, Rationale: Lack of visible chest rise may result from airway
obstruction, poor head positioning, or an inadequate mask seal.
Repositioning the airway and correcting the seal are appropriate
initial interventions. Excessive ventilation pressure without correcting
the underlying problem can increase gastric inflation and aspiration
risk.
7. Which airway maneuver is generally appropriate for a patient
without suspected cervical spine injury?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw thrust only
C. Abdominal thrust
D. Blind finger sweep
Answer: A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
Rationale: The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver helps move the tongue
away from the posterior pharynx and opens the airway in patients
without suspected spinal injury. When cervical spine injury is
suspected, providers generally favor a jaw-thrust maneuver while
maintaining spinal precautions, according to applicable protocols.
8. A trauma patient may have a cervical spine injury and requires
airway opening. Which maneuver is generally preferred initially?
A. Head extension with forceful neck rotation
B. Jaw thrust without significant head extension
C. Abdominal thrust
D. Blind digital removal of secretions
Answer: B. Jaw thrust without significant head extension
Rationale: The jaw-thrust maneuver can help open the airway while
minimizing movement of the cervical spine. The mandible is displaced
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient is unconscious and has no gag reflex. Which airway
adjunct is generally most appropriate for maintaining airway
patency?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Nasal cannula
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: B. Oropharyngeal airway
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway (OPA) helps prevent the tongue
from obstructing the pharynx in an unresponsive patient without an
intact gag reflex. It should not be used in a conscious or
semiconscious patient with a gag reflex because insertion can provoke
gagging, vomiting, or aspiration.
2. When selecting an oropharyngeal airway for an adult, which
measurement is commonly used?
A. Corner of the mouth to angle of the jaw
B. Tip of the nose to earlobe
C. Chin to clavicle
D. Corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
,Answer: D. Corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible
Rationale: Proper sizing helps ensure that the OPA reaches the
appropriate position without being too short or too long. A common
external measurement is from the corner of the mouth to the angle of
the mandible. Incorrect sizing may fail to relieve obstruction or may
worsen airway obstruction.
3. A conscious patient has significant airway obstruction from the
tongue but retains a gag reflex. Which adjunct is generally better
tolerated?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Supraglottic airway
D. Endotracheal tube
Answer: A. Nasopharyngeal airway
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) can often be used in
patients who are conscious or semiconscious and retain a gag reflex. It
passes through the nasal passage to help maintain an open upper
airway. An OPA is generally contraindicated when an intact gag reflex
is present.
4. Which finding is a contraindication or major concern for insertion
of a nasopharyngeal airway?
A. Mild anxiety
B. History of asthma
C. Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe facial trauma
D. Controlled hypertension
Answer: C. Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe facial trauma
,Rationale: Significant facial trauma or suspected basilar skull fracture
raises concern for complications from nasal airway insertion. Blood,
swelling, structural disruption, or a possible skull-base injury can
make the nasal route unsafe. The provider should follow local
protocols and consider alternative airway strategies when indicated.
5. A patient with inadequate spontaneous respirations requires
assisted ventilation with a bag-valve mask. What is the primary
purpose of the BVM?
A. Increase blood pressure directly
B. Provide positive-pressure ventilation
C. Remove gastric contents
D. Immobilize the cervical spine
Answer: B. Provide positive-pressure ventilation
Rationale: A bag-valve mask provides positive-pressure ventilation
when the patient's spontaneous breathing is absent or inadequate.
Effective ventilation moves oxygen-containing gas into the lungs and
facilitates carbon dioxide removal. Proper airway positioning, an
effective mask seal, and appropriate ventilation technique are essential
for effectiveness.
6. During BVM ventilation, an EMT notices that the patient's chest is
not rising. What should be done first?
A. Immediately increase ventilation pressure substantially
B. Insert two NPAs simultaneously
C. Reposition the airway and reassess the mask seal
D. Stop ventilating permanently
Answer: C. Reposition the airway and reassess the mask seal
, Rationale: Lack of visible chest rise may result from airway
obstruction, poor head positioning, or an inadequate mask seal.
Repositioning the airway and correcting the seal are appropriate
initial interventions. Excessive ventilation pressure without correcting
the underlying problem can increase gastric inflation and aspiration
risk.
7. Which airway maneuver is generally appropriate for a patient
without suspected cervical spine injury?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw thrust only
C. Abdominal thrust
D. Blind finger sweep
Answer: A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
Rationale: The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver helps move the tongue
away from the posterior pharynx and opens the airway in patients
without suspected spinal injury. When cervical spine injury is
suspected, providers generally favor a jaw-thrust maneuver while
maintaining spinal precautions, according to applicable protocols.
8. A trauma patient may have a cervical spine injury and requires
airway opening. Which maneuver is generally preferred initially?
A. Head extension with forceful neck rotation
B. Jaw thrust without significant head extension
C. Abdominal thrust
D. Blind digital removal of secretions
Answer: B. Jaw thrust without significant head extension
Rationale: The jaw-thrust maneuver can help open the airway while
minimizing movement of the cervical spine. The mandible is displaced
