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FISDAP Airway Exam Practice: 100 Questions with Answers
Section 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–20)
Q1. From the atmosphere, what structures does air pass through during ventilation?
A. Nose → larynx → alveoli
B. Nose/mouth → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli
C. Atmosphere → esophagus → stomach
D. Mouth only → lungs directly
Answer: B
Rationale: Air follows a defined path from the atmosphere through the upper airway
(nose/mouth, pharynx, larynx) to the lower airway (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles) and finally
to the alveoli where gas exchange occurs .
Q2. What is the purpose of the nasal passages and nasopharynx?
A. Trap CO₂ for exhalation
B. Warm and humidify inspired air
C. Store oxygen
D. Produce mucus only
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal passages prepare air for the lower airway by filtering, warming, and
humidifying, which protects delicate alveoli .
Q3. Which structure divides the upper airway from the lower airway?
A. Epiglottis
B. Larynx
C. Carina
D. Trachea
Answer: B
Rationale: The larynx marks the transition; structures above the glottic opening are upper
airway, and the larynx and below are lower airway .
Q4. Which cartilage is the largest and forms the "Adam's apple"?
A. Cricoid cartilage
B. Thyroid cartilage
C. Arytenoid cartilage
D. Corniculate cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The thyroid cartilage, part of the larynx, is prominent anteriorly and serves as a
key airway landmark. It is more pronounced in men .
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Q5. What leaf-shaped structure closes during swallowing to prevent food and foreign objects
from entering the trachea?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Arytenoid cartilage
D. Cricoid cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis folds down over the larynx during swallowing to direct food into the
esophagus and protect the airway .
Q6. What is the name of the hollow, semi-flexible tube that carries inhaled air from the
larynx to the lungs?
A. Pharynx
B. Trachea
C. Esophagus
D. Bronchiole
Answer: B
Rationale: The trachea is the hollow, semi-flexible tube that carries inhaled air from the
larynx to the lungs .
Q7. What is the name of the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the
abdominal cavity?
A. Diaphragm
B. Mediastinum
C. Pleura
D. Pericardium
Answer: A
Rationale: The diaphragm is the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the
abdominal cavity and is the primary muscle of inspiration .
Q8. What is the name of the cartilaginous ridge in the trachea at which the right and left
lungs split?
A. Larynx
B. Carina
C. Epiglottis
D. Cricoid cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The carina is the cartilaginous ridge where the trachea bifurcates into the left and
right mainstem bronchi .
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Q9. What is the most common location for an airway obstruction?
A. Trachea
B. Pharynx
C. Bronchi
D. Alveoli
Answer: B
Rationale: The pharynx is the most common location for an airway obstruction, particularly
due to the tongue falling back in unresponsive patients .
Q10. What are the small sacs in the lungs that are responsible for gas exchange?
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Answer: C
Rationale: The alveoli are the small sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs between
the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries .
Q11. What is the difference between respiration and ventilation?
A. Respiration is moving air, ventilation is gas exchange
B. Respiration is gas exchange, ventilation is moving air
C. They are the same process
D. Respiration refers only to exhalation
Answer: B
Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs.
Respiration is the alveolar and cellular gas exchange. Both are necessary for oxygen delivery
and CO₂ removal .
Q12. What causes air to rush into the lungs?
A. Positive intrapulmonary pressure
B. Negative pressure in pleural space
C. Gravity pulling oxygen downward
D. Muscles inside alveoli contracting
Answer: B
Rationale: When thoracic volume increases, intrathoracic pressure falls below atmospheric
pressure, causing air inflow .
Q13. What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?
FISDAP Airway Exam Practice: 100 Questions with Answers
Section 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–20)
Q1. From the atmosphere, what structures does air pass through during ventilation?
A. Nose → larynx → alveoli
B. Nose/mouth → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli
C. Atmosphere → esophagus → stomach
D. Mouth only → lungs directly
Answer: B
Rationale: Air follows a defined path from the atmosphere through the upper airway
(nose/mouth, pharynx, larynx) to the lower airway (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles) and finally
to the alveoli where gas exchange occurs .
Q2. What is the purpose of the nasal passages and nasopharynx?
A. Trap CO₂ for exhalation
B. Warm and humidify inspired air
C. Store oxygen
D. Produce mucus only
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal passages prepare air for the lower airway by filtering, warming, and
humidifying, which protects delicate alveoli .
Q3. Which structure divides the upper airway from the lower airway?
A. Epiglottis
B. Larynx
C. Carina
D. Trachea
Answer: B
Rationale: The larynx marks the transition; structures above the glottic opening are upper
airway, and the larynx and below are lower airway .
Q4. Which cartilage is the largest and forms the "Adam's apple"?
A. Cricoid cartilage
B. Thyroid cartilage
C. Arytenoid cartilage
D. Corniculate cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The thyroid cartilage, part of the larynx, is prominent anteriorly and serves as a
key airway landmark. It is more pronounced in men .
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Q5. What leaf-shaped structure closes during swallowing to prevent food and foreign objects
from entering the trachea?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Arytenoid cartilage
D. Cricoid cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis folds down over the larynx during swallowing to direct food into the
esophagus and protect the airway .
Q6. What is the name of the hollow, semi-flexible tube that carries inhaled air from the
larynx to the lungs?
A. Pharynx
B. Trachea
C. Esophagus
D. Bronchiole
Answer: B
Rationale: The trachea is the hollow, semi-flexible tube that carries inhaled air from the
larynx to the lungs .
Q7. What is the name of the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the
abdominal cavity?
A. Diaphragm
B. Mediastinum
C. Pleura
D. Pericardium
Answer: A
Rationale: The diaphragm is the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the
abdominal cavity and is the primary muscle of inspiration .
Q8. What is the name of the cartilaginous ridge in the trachea at which the right and left
lungs split?
A. Larynx
B. Carina
C. Epiglottis
D. Cricoid cartilage
Answer: B
Rationale: The carina is the cartilaginous ridge where the trachea bifurcates into the left and
right mainstem bronchi .
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Q9. What is the most common location for an airway obstruction?
A. Trachea
B. Pharynx
C. Bronchi
D. Alveoli
Answer: B
Rationale: The pharynx is the most common location for an airway obstruction, particularly
due to the tongue falling back in unresponsive patients .
Q10. What are the small sacs in the lungs that are responsible for gas exchange?
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Answer: C
Rationale: The alveoli are the small sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs between
the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries .
Q11. What is the difference between respiration and ventilation?
A. Respiration is moving air, ventilation is gas exchange
B. Respiration is gas exchange, ventilation is moving air
C. They are the same process
D. Respiration refers only to exhalation
Answer: B
Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs.
Respiration is the alveolar and cellular gas exchange. Both are necessary for oxygen delivery
and CO₂ removal .
Q12. What causes air to rush into the lungs?
A. Positive intrapulmonary pressure
B. Negative pressure in pleural space
C. Gravity pulling oxygen downward
D. Muscles inside alveoli contracting
Answer: B
Rationale: When thoracic volume increases, intrathoracic pressure falls below atmospheric
pressure, causing air inflow .
Q13. What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?
