ADVANCED AIRWAY MANAGEMENT:
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW INSIDER ACCESS OF
2025/2026 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100% SUCCESS
RATE
Upper Airway - Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, and Laryngopharynx (Hypopharynx).
Larynx - Composed of the epiglottis, glottis (vocal cords), and various cartilages (thyroid,
cricoid, arytenoid).
Trachea and Bronchi - The trachea bifurcates at the carina into the right and left mainstem
bronchi.
Vallecula - The space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis, the target for the tip of a
curved (Macintosh) laryngoscope blade.
Epiglottis - The leaf-shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing.
Vocal Cords - The primary structures of the glottic opening.
Arytenoid Cartilages - Paired cartilages at the posterior aspect of the larynx, another crucial
landmark.
Cricothyroid Membrane - The membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, the site for
cricothyrotomy.
LEMON - A mnemonic for assessing a difficult airway: Look Externally, Evaluate (3-3-2 Rule),
Mallampati Score, Obstruction/Obesity, Neck Mobility.
, 3-3-2 Rule - 3 fingerbreadths between incisors, 3 fingerbreadths from hyoid bone to chin, 2
fingerbreadths from thyroid notch to floor of mouth.
Mallampati Score - A classification system for airway visibility: Class I (full visibility), Class II
(uvula and soft palate), Class III (base of uvula), Class IV (soft palate not visible).
ROMAN - A mnemonic for assessing difficult bag-mask ventilation: Radiation/Restriction,
Obesity/Obstruction/OSA, Mask Seal/Mallampati/Male, Age, No Teeth.
Obesity - BMI > 26, presence of airway obstruction, or history of obstructive sleep apnea.
RODS - A mnemonic for assessing difficult extraglottic device: Restricted Mouth Opening,
Obstruction, Disrupted or Distorted Airway, Stiff Lungs or Cervical Spine.
SMART - A mnemonic for assessing difficult cricothyrotomy: Surgery, Mass, Access/Anatomy,
Radiation, Tumor.
Failure of Airway Patency or Protection - Inability to maintain a clear airway or protect against
aspiration.
Failure of Ventilation or Oxygenation - Inability to maintain adequate gas exchange.
Anticipated Clinical Course - Likelihood of deterioration that will necessitate intubation.
Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA) - Used in unconscious patients without a gag reflex to prevent the
tongue from obstructing the airway.
Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA) - Used in conscious or semiconscious patients with a gag reflex.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW INSIDER ACCESS OF
2025/2026 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100% SUCCESS
RATE
Upper Airway - Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, and Laryngopharynx (Hypopharynx).
Larynx - Composed of the epiglottis, glottis (vocal cords), and various cartilages (thyroid,
cricoid, arytenoid).
Trachea and Bronchi - The trachea bifurcates at the carina into the right and left mainstem
bronchi.
Vallecula - The space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis, the target for the tip of a
curved (Macintosh) laryngoscope blade.
Epiglottis - The leaf-shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing.
Vocal Cords - The primary structures of the glottic opening.
Arytenoid Cartilages - Paired cartilages at the posterior aspect of the larynx, another crucial
landmark.
Cricothyroid Membrane - The membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, the site for
cricothyrotomy.
LEMON - A mnemonic for assessing a difficult airway: Look Externally, Evaluate (3-3-2 Rule),
Mallampati Score, Obstruction/Obesity, Neck Mobility.
, 3-3-2 Rule - 3 fingerbreadths between incisors, 3 fingerbreadths from hyoid bone to chin, 2
fingerbreadths from thyroid notch to floor of mouth.
Mallampati Score - A classification system for airway visibility: Class I (full visibility), Class II
(uvula and soft palate), Class III (base of uvula), Class IV (soft palate not visible).
ROMAN - A mnemonic for assessing difficult bag-mask ventilation: Radiation/Restriction,
Obesity/Obstruction/OSA, Mask Seal/Mallampati/Male, Age, No Teeth.
Obesity - BMI > 26, presence of airway obstruction, or history of obstructive sleep apnea.
RODS - A mnemonic for assessing difficult extraglottic device: Restricted Mouth Opening,
Obstruction, Disrupted or Distorted Airway, Stiff Lungs or Cervical Spine.
SMART - A mnemonic for assessing difficult cricothyrotomy: Surgery, Mass, Access/Anatomy,
Radiation, Tumor.
Failure of Airway Patency or Protection - Inability to maintain a clear airway or protect against
aspiration.
Failure of Ventilation or Oxygenation - Inability to maintain adequate gas exchange.
Anticipated Clinical Course - Likelihood of deterioration that will necessitate intubation.
Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA) - Used in unconscious patients without a gag reflex to prevent the
tongue from obstructing the airway.
Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA) - Used in conscious or semiconscious patients with a gag reflex.
