FISDAP Airway Exam 2025 STUDY GUIDE
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
FISDAP Airway Management: 100 Exam Questions & Answers
Section 1: Anatomy and Physiology
1. Q: What is the primary muscle of ventilation?
A: Diaphragm
B: Intercostal muscles
C: Sternocleidomastoid
D: Abdominal muscles
Explanation: The diaphragm is the primary muscle responsible for inhalation. When it
contracts, it flattens and increases thoracic volume, drawing air into the lungs.
2. Q: The structure that separates the oropharynx from the nasopharynx is the:
A: Uvula
B: Epiglottis
C: Hard palate
D: Soft palate
Explanation: The soft palate is the muscular posterior portion of the roof of the mouth. It
elevates during swallowing to close off the nasopharynx.
3. Q: The vocal cords are located within the:
A: Trachea
B: Laryngopharynx
C: Larynx
D: Cricoid cartilage
Explanation: The vocal cords (folds) are housed in the larynx, or voice box, which is
located between the pharynx and the trachea.
4. Q: The "Adam's apple" is a prominent landmark of which cartilage?
A: Cricoid cartilage
, B: Arytenoid cartilage
C: Thyroid cartilage
D: Epiglottic cartilage
Explanation: The thyroid cartilage is the largest cartilage of the larynx. Its anterior
prominence is commonly referred to as the Adam's apple.
5. Q: Which structure is MOST likely to cause airway obstruction in an unresponsive
patient?
A: Epiglottis
B: Tongue
C: Uvula
D: Vocal cords
Explanation: Loss of muscle tone in an unresponsive patient allows the tongue to fall
back and occlude the posterior pharynx, which is the most common cause of airway
obstruction.
6. Q: The point at which the trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi is
called the:
A: Carina
B: Bronchioles
C: Vallecula
D: Alveolar duct
Explanation: The carina is the ridge at the base of the trachea where it splits into the two
primary bronchi. It is a highly sensitive area that can trigger coughing.
7. Q: Gas exchange in the lungs occurs at the level of the:
A: Terminal bronchioles
B: Alveoli
C: Pleural space
D: Primary bronchi
Explanation: The alveoli are tiny, thin-walled sacs surrounded by capillaries where the
actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
8. Q: What is the normal tidal volume for an average adult?
A: 100 mL
B: 500 mL
C: 1000 mL
D: 3000 mL
, Explanation: Tidal volume is the amount of air moved in or out of the lungs during a
normal breath. The average for an adult is approximately 500 mL.
9. Q: The pressure in the pleural space is normally:
A: Equal to atmospheric pressure
B: Positive
C: Negative
D: Variable
Explanation: Intrapleural pressure is normally negative (subatmospheric). This negative
pressure keeps the lungs inflated against the chest wall.
10. Q: Hypoxic drive is a backup mechanism for patients with chronic:
A: Asthma
B: Pulmonary embolism
C: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
D: Pneumonia
Explanation: In some patients with severe, chronic COPD, chronically elevated CO2 levels
make the body rely primarily on low oxygen levels (hypoxia) to stimulate breathing.
Section 2: Airway Assessment
11. Q: A patient who is awake and can speak in full sentences has what kind of airway?
A: Compromised
B: Patent
C: Obstructed
D: Unmaintainable
Explanation: The ability to speak in full sentences without distress is a clear indicator of a
patent (open and clear) airway.
12. Q: Snoring respirations in an unresponsive patient are most indicative of:
A: Lower airway obstruction
B: Partial upper airway obstruction by the tongue
C: Bronchoconstriction
D: Pulmonary edema
Explanation: Snoring (sonorous) sounds are caused by turbulent air moving past a partial
obstruction, most commonly the relaxed tongue and soft tissues in the upper airway.
13. Q: Stridor is a high-pitched, inspiratory sound that suggests:
A: Lower airway fluid
B: Upper airway obstruction
, C: Alveolar collapse
D: Bronchospasm
Explanation: Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration, indicating a
partial obstruction at or above the level of the larynx (e.g., croup, foreign body, swelling).
14. Q: Wheezing is typically associated with:
A: Pneumonia
B: Lower airway narrowing/bronchospasm
C: Pulmonary embolism
D: Pleural effusion
Explanation: Wheezing is a high-pitched, musical sound heard primarily on expiration,
caused by the narrowing of the smaller airways (bronchioles), as seen in asthma or
COPD.
15. Q: Gurgling respirations indicate the presence of:
A: Blood
B: Vomit
C: Secretions
D: Any liquid in the upper airway
Explanation: Gurgling is a bubbling sound that signifies fluid (blood, vomit, saliva) in the
upper airway. It requires immediate suctioning.
16. Q: In airway assessment, the "Look, Listen, Feel" approach includes feeling for:
A: Chest symmetry
B: Air movement at the nose and mouth
C: Tracheal position
D: All of the above
Explanation: "Feel" primarily refers to feeling for the flow of air from the patient's nose
and mouth. Assessing chest rise and fall and tracheal position are also part of a
comprehensive assessment.
17. Q: A patient with severe shortness of breath is sitting upright, leaning forward on their
hands. This position is known as:
A: Orthopnea
B: Tripodding
C: Kyphosis
D: Prone positioning
Explanation: The tripod position (leaning forward with arms braced) helps maximize
thoracic volume and use of accessory muscles, commonly seen in severe asthma or
COPD.
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
FISDAP Airway Management: 100 Exam Questions & Answers
Section 1: Anatomy and Physiology
1. Q: What is the primary muscle of ventilation?
A: Diaphragm
B: Intercostal muscles
C: Sternocleidomastoid
D: Abdominal muscles
Explanation: The diaphragm is the primary muscle responsible for inhalation. When it
contracts, it flattens and increases thoracic volume, drawing air into the lungs.
2. Q: The structure that separates the oropharynx from the nasopharynx is the:
A: Uvula
B: Epiglottis
C: Hard palate
D: Soft palate
Explanation: The soft palate is the muscular posterior portion of the roof of the mouth. It
elevates during swallowing to close off the nasopharynx.
3. Q: The vocal cords are located within the:
A: Trachea
B: Laryngopharynx
C: Larynx
D: Cricoid cartilage
Explanation: The vocal cords (folds) are housed in the larynx, or voice box, which is
located between the pharynx and the trachea.
4. Q: The "Adam's apple" is a prominent landmark of which cartilage?
A: Cricoid cartilage
, B: Arytenoid cartilage
C: Thyroid cartilage
D: Epiglottic cartilage
Explanation: The thyroid cartilage is the largest cartilage of the larynx. Its anterior
prominence is commonly referred to as the Adam's apple.
5. Q: Which structure is MOST likely to cause airway obstruction in an unresponsive
patient?
A: Epiglottis
B: Tongue
C: Uvula
D: Vocal cords
Explanation: Loss of muscle tone in an unresponsive patient allows the tongue to fall
back and occlude the posterior pharynx, which is the most common cause of airway
obstruction.
6. Q: The point at which the trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi is
called the:
A: Carina
B: Bronchioles
C: Vallecula
D: Alveolar duct
Explanation: The carina is the ridge at the base of the trachea where it splits into the two
primary bronchi. It is a highly sensitive area that can trigger coughing.
7. Q: Gas exchange in the lungs occurs at the level of the:
A: Terminal bronchioles
B: Alveoli
C: Pleural space
D: Primary bronchi
Explanation: The alveoli are tiny, thin-walled sacs surrounded by capillaries where the
actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
8. Q: What is the normal tidal volume for an average adult?
A: 100 mL
B: 500 mL
C: 1000 mL
D: 3000 mL
, Explanation: Tidal volume is the amount of air moved in or out of the lungs during a
normal breath. The average for an adult is approximately 500 mL.
9. Q: The pressure in the pleural space is normally:
A: Equal to atmospheric pressure
B: Positive
C: Negative
D: Variable
Explanation: Intrapleural pressure is normally negative (subatmospheric). This negative
pressure keeps the lungs inflated against the chest wall.
10. Q: Hypoxic drive is a backup mechanism for patients with chronic:
A: Asthma
B: Pulmonary embolism
C: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
D: Pneumonia
Explanation: In some patients with severe, chronic COPD, chronically elevated CO2 levels
make the body rely primarily on low oxygen levels (hypoxia) to stimulate breathing.
Section 2: Airway Assessment
11. Q: A patient who is awake and can speak in full sentences has what kind of airway?
A: Compromised
B: Patent
C: Obstructed
D: Unmaintainable
Explanation: The ability to speak in full sentences without distress is a clear indicator of a
patent (open and clear) airway.
12. Q: Snoring respirations in an unresponsive patient are most indicative of:
A: Lower airway obstruction
B: Partial upper airway obstruction by the tongue
C: Bronchoconstriction
D: Pulmonary edema
Explanation: Snoring (sonorous) sounds are caused by turbulent air moving past a partial
obstruction, most commonly the relaxed tongue and soft tissues in the upper airway.
13. Q: Stridor is a high-pitched, inspiratory sound that suggests:
A: Lower airway fluid
B: Upper airway obstruction
, C: Alveolar collapse
D: Bronchospasm
Explanation: Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration, indicating a
partial obstruction at or above the level of the larynx (e.g., croup, foreign body, swelling).
14. Q: Wheezing is typically associated with:
A: Pneumonia
B: Lower airway narrowing/bronchospasm
C: Pulmonary embolism
D: Pleural effusion
Explanation: Wheezing is a high-pitched, musical sound heard primarily on expiration,
caused by the narrowing of the smaller airways (bronchioles), as seen in asthma or
COPD.
15. Q: Gurgling respirations indicate the presence of:
A: Blood
B: Vomit
C: Secretions
D: Any liquid in the upper airway
Explanation: Gurgling is a bubbling sound that signifies fluid (blood, vomit, saliva) in the
upper airway. It requires immediate suctioning.
16. Q: In airway assessment, the "Look, Listen, Feel" approach includes feeling for:
A: Chest symmetry
B: Air movement at the nose and mouth
C: Tracheal position
D: All of the above
Explanation: "Feel" primarily refers to feeling for the flow of air from the patient's nose
and mouth. Assessing chest rise and fall and tracheal position are also part of a
comprehensive assessment.
17. Q: A patient with severe shortness of breath is sitting upright, leaning forward on their
hands. This position is known as:
A: Orthopnea
B: Tripodding
C: Kyphosis
D: Prone positioning
Explanation: The tripod position (leaning forward with arms braced) helps maximize
thoracic volume and use of accessory muscles, commonly seen in severe asthma or
COPD.
