FISDAP Paramedic Airway Exam – 100 Practice
Questions with Answers
Section 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology (Q1–25)
1. What is the primary function of the nasal passages and nasopharynx?
A) Produce mucus for digestion
B) Warm and humidify air as it passes through
C) Filter carbon dioxide from the blood
D) Produce sound for speech
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal passages and nasopharynx warm, filter, and humidify inhaled air before
it reaches the lower airways .
2. Which structure divides the upper airway from the lower airway?
A) Vocal cords (glottis)
B) Carina
C) Oropharynx
D) Mainstem bronchi
Answer: A
Rationale: The glottis, defined by the vocal cords, marks the anatomic division between
upper and lower airway. Structures above the larynx are upper airway; the larynx and below
are lower airway .
3. What is the name of the leaf-shaped valve that prevents food from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A) Uvula
B) Epiglottis
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Cricoid cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that covers the trachea during
swallowing, preventing food and liquid from entering the lower airway .
4. Which cartilage forms the lower portion of the larynx and is the only complete
cartilaginous ring in the airway?
,A) Thyroid cartilage
B) Epiglottis
C) Cricoid cartilage
D) Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: C
Rationale: The cricoid cartilage is a ring-shaped structure that forms the lowest portion of
the larynx and serves as the first ring of the trachea. It is the only completely circular
cartilaginous structure in the upper airway .
5. Where is Sellick's maneuver (cricoid pressure) applied?
A) Thyroid cartilage
B) Cricoid cartilage
C) Hyoid bone
D) Epiglottis
Answer: B
Rationale: Sellick's maneuver involves applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage to occlude
the esophagus and prevent aspiration during intubation .
6. What is the name of the cartilaginous ridge where the right and left main bronchi split?
A) Carina
B) Cricoid ring
C) Hyoid bone
D) Thyroid notch
Answer: A
Rationale: The carina is a cartilaginous ridge located at the bifurcation of the trachea into
the right and left main bronchi. It is a key landmark during intubation .
7. The narrowest portion of the adult airway is the:
A) Glottic opening
B) Cricoid cartilage
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Pyriform fossa
Answer: B
Rationale: In adults, the cricoid cartilage forms a complete ring and is the narrowest point of
the upper airway. In children under 8-10 years old, the glottic opening is the narrowest part .
8. Which section of the pharynx is located directly posterior to the nose?
, A) Oropharynx
B) Laryngopharynx
C) Nasopharynx
D) Hypopharynx
Answer: C
Rationale: The nasopharynx is behind the nasal cavity. The oropharynx is behind the mouth,
and the laryngopharynx/hypopharynx is the lowest portion surrounding the larynx .
9. The cricothyroid membrane is located:
A) Between the thyroid cartilage and the hyoid bone
B) Between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage
C) Between the cricoid cartilage and the tracheal rings
D) Superior to the epiglottis
Answer: B
Rationale: The cricothyroid membrane is the fibrous tissue connecting the thyroid cartilage
above to the cricoid cartilage below. This is the landmark for surgical and needle
cricothyrotomy .
10. Which structure is considered the primary muscle of respiration?
A) Intercostal muscles
B) Diaphragm
C) Sternocleidomastoid
D) Trapezius
Answer: B
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and moves downward during inspiration, creating
negative pressure. Intercostal muscles increase the anteroposterior diameter.
Sternocleidomastoid is an accessory muscle used in labored breathing .
11. Normal respiratory drive is primarily stimulated by:
A) Low oxygen levels (hypoxia)
B) High carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia)
C) Low pH (acidosis)
D) High blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Central chemoreceptors in the medulla respond primarily to changes in PaCO2. A
rise in CO2 triggers an increase in respiratory rate. In healthy individuals, hypoxia is a
secondary drive, but it becomes the primary drive in conditions like COPD .
Questions with Answers
Section 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology (Q1–25)
1. What is the primary function of the nasal passages and nasopharynx?
A) Produce mucus for digestion
B) Warm and humidify air as it passes through
C) Filter carbon dioxide from the blood
D) Produce sound for speech
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal passages and nasopharynx warm, filter, and humidify inhaled air before
it reaches the lower airways .
2. Which structure divides the upper airway from the lower airway?
A) Vocal cords (glottis)
B) Carina
C) Oropharynx
D) Mainstem bronchi
Answer: A
Rationale: The glottis, defined by the vocal cords, marks the anatomic division between
upper and lower airway. Structures above the larynx are upper airway; the larynx and below
are lower airway .
3. What is the name of the leaf-shaped valve that prevents food from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A) Uvula
B) Epiglottis
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Cricoid cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that covers the trachea during
swallowing, preventing food and liquid from entering the lower airway .
4. Which cartilage forms the lower portion of the larynx and is the only complete
cartilaginous ring in the airway?
,A) Thyroid cartilage
B) Epiglottis
C) Cricoid cartilage
D) Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: C
Rationale: The cricoid cartilage is a ring-shaped structure that forms the lowest portion of
the larynx and serves as the first ring of the trachea. It is the only completely circular
cartilaginous structure in the upper airway .
5. Where is Sellick's maneuver (cricoid pressure) applied?
A) Thyroid cartilage
B) Cricoid cartilage
C) Hyoid bone
D) Epiglottis
Answer: B
Rationale: Sellick's maneuver involves applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage to occlude
the esophagus and prevent aspiration during intubation .
6. What is the name of the cartilaginous ridge where the right and left main bronchi split?
A) Carina
B) Cricoid ring
C) Hyoid bone
D) Thyroid notch
Answer: A
Rationale: The carina is a cartilaginous ridge located at the bifurcation of the trachea into
the right and left main bronchi. It is a key landmark during intubation .
7. The narrowest portion of the adult airway is the:
A) Glottic opening
B) Cricoid cartilage
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Pyriform fossa
Answer: B
Rationale: In adults, the cricoid cartilage forms a complete ring and is the narrowest point of
the upper airway. In children under 8-10 years old, the glottic opening is the narrowest part .
8. Which section of the pharynx is located directly posterior to the nose?
, A) Oropharynx
B) Laryngopharynx
C) Nasopharynx
D) Hypopharynx
Answer: C
Rationale: The nasopharynx is behind the nasal cavity. The oropharynx is behind the mouth,
and the laryngopharynx/hypopharynx is the lowest portion surrounding the larynx .
9. The cricothyroid membrane is located:
A) Between the thyroid cartilage and the hyoid bone
B) Between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage
C) Between the cricoid cartilage and the tracheal rings
D) Superior to the epiglottis
Answer: B
Rationale: The cricothyroid membrane is the fibrous tissue connecting the thyroid cartilage
above to the cricoid cartilage below. This is the landmark for surgical and needle
cricothyrotomy .
10. Which structure is considered the primary muscle of respiration?
A) Intercostal muscles
B) Diaphragm
C) Sternocleidomastoid
D) Trapezius
Answer: B
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and moves downward during inspiration, creating
negative pressure. Intercostal muscles increase the anteroposterior diameter.
Sternocleidomastoid is an accessory muscle used in labored breathing .
11. Normal respiratory drive is primarily stimulated by:
A) Low oxygen levels (hypoxia)
B) High carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia)
C) Low pH (acidosis)
D) High blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Central chemoreceptors in the medulla respond primarily to changes in PaCO2. A
rise in CO2 triggers an increase in respiratory rate. In healthy individuals, hypoxia is a
secondary drive, but it becomes the primary drive in conditions like COPD .
