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FISDAP Airway Exam: 100 Practice Questions with Answers
Section 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–25)
Q1. Which structure is the only complete cartilaginous ring in the upper airway and serves
as a key landmark for cricoid pressure during rapid sequence intubation?
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Cricoid cartilage
C. Arytenoid cartilages
D. Epiglottis
Answer: B
Rationale: The cricoid cartilage is the only completely circular cartilaginous structure. Firm
pressure applied to it (Sellick maneuver) can occlude the esophagus to reduce aspiration risk
during intubation .
Q2. 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 the
upper airway and lower airway. The carina lies well within the lower airway .
Q3. Which anatomical structure primarily prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
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 .
Q4. The primary muscle of inspiration in a resting adult is the:
A. Abdominal muscles
B. Sternocleidomastoid
C. Diaphragm
D. Intercostals
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Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing thoracic volume and creating
negative pressure. Accessory muscles are recruited during labored breathing .
Q5. What is the narrowest portion of the adult airway?
A. Trachea
B. Glottis
C. Bronchus
D. Pharynx
Answer: B
Rationale: The glottis is the narrowest portion of the adult airway. The larynx, specifically the
glottic opening, is the most common site of foreign body airway obstruction in adults .
Q6. What is the purpose of the nasal passages and nasopharynx?
A. To filter and trap all pathogens
B. To warm and humidify air as it passes through
C. To produce mucus for the lower airway
D. To detect odors and regulate airflow
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal passages and nasopharynx are lined with mucous membranes and rich
blood supply that warm and humidify incoming air .
Q7. Which of the following is part of the LOWER airway?
A. Nasopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Larynx
D. Bronchioles
Answer: D
Rationale: The lower airway begins below the larynx and includes the trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles, and alveoli .
Q8. The volume of air inhaled in a single breath is best defined as:
A. Tidal volume
B. Residual volume
C. Vital capacity
D. Functional reserve capacity
Answer: A
Rationale: Tidal volume is the volume of air inhaled in a single breath. Residual volume is air
remaining after maximal exhalation .
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Q9. What is the average adult ventilation volume?
A. 150 mL
B. 350 mL
C. 500 mL
D. 750 mL
Answer: C
Rationale: The average adult ventilation volume is 500 mL .
Q10. How much air is lost in the area of dead space when an adult is ventilating?
A. 50 mL
B. 100 mL
C. 150 mL
D. 200 mL
Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 150 mL of air is lost in dead space during adult ventilation .
Q11. The volume of air that remains in the lungs after maximal exhalation is called:
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory reserve volume
C. Residual volume
D. Vital capacity
Answer: C
Rationale: Residual volume is the air that remains in the lungs after forced exhalation,
preventing lung collapse .
Q12. What structure branches off the trachea into the lower airway?
A. Alveoli
B. Bronchi
C. Bronchioles
D. Capillaries
Answer: B
Rationale: The trachea splits at the carina into the left and right bronchi. The bronchi get
smaller until reaching the terminal bronchioles where the alveoli are located .
Q13. The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the:
A. Bronchioles
B. Alveolar sacs
C. Apex of the lung
D. Pulmonary capillaries
FISDAP Airway Exam: 100 Practice Questions with Answers
Section 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–25)
Q1. Which structure is the only complete cartilaginous ring in the upper airway and serves
as a key landmark for cricoid pressure during rapid sequence intubation?
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Cricoid cartilage
C. Arytenoid cartilages
D. Epiglottis
Answer: B
Rationale: The cricoid cartilage is the only completely circular cartilaginous structure. Firm
pressure applied to it (Sellick maneuver) can occlude the esophagus to reduce aspiration risk
during intubation .
Q2. 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 the
upper airway and lower airway. The carina lies well within the lower airway .
Q3. Which anatomical structure primarily prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
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 .
Q4. The primary muscle of inspiration in a resting adult is the:
A. Abdominal muscles
B. Sternocleidomastoid
C. Diaphragm
D. Intercostals
,2
Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing thoracic volume and creating
negative pressure. Accessory muscles are recruited during labored breathing .
Q5. What is the narrowest portion of the adult airway?
A. Trachea
B. Glottis
C. Bronchus
D. Pharynx
Answer: B
Rationale: The glottis is the narrowest portion of the adult airway. The larynx, specifically the
glottic opening, is the most common site of foreign body airway obstruction in adults .
Q6. What is the purpose of the nasal passages and nasopharynx?
A. To filter and trap all pathogens
B. To warm and humidify air as it passes through
C. To produce mucus for the lower airway
D. To detect odors and regulate airflow
Answer: B
Rationale: The nasal passages and nasopharynx are lined with mucous membranes and rich
blood supply that warm and humidify incoming air .
Q7. Which of the following is part of the LOWER airway?
A. Nasopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Larynx
D. Bronchioles
Answer: D
Rationale: The lower airway begins below the larynx and includes the trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles, and alveoli .
Q8. The volume of air inhaled in a single breath is best defined as:
A. Tidal volume
B. Residual volume
C. Vital capacity
D. Functional reserve capacity
Answer: A
Rationale: Tidal volume is the volume of air inhaled in a single breath. Residual volume is air
remaining after maximal exhalation .
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Q9. What is the average adult ventilation volume?
A. 150 mL
B. 350 mL
C. 500 mL
D. 750 mL
Answer: C
Rationale: The average adult ventilation volume is 500 mL .
Q10. How much air is lost in the area of dead space when an adult is ventilating?
A. 50 mL
B. 100 mL
C. 150 mL
D. 200 mL
Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 150 mL of air is lost in dead space during adult ventilation .
Q11. The volume of air that remains in the lungs after maximal exhalation is called:
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory reserve volume
C. Residual volume
D. Vital capacity
Answer: C
Rationale: Residual volume is the air that remains in the lungs after forced exhalation,
preventing lung collapse .
Q12. What structure branches off the trachea into the lower airway?
A. Alveoli
B. Bronchi
C. Bronchioles
D. Capillaries
Answer: B
Rationale: The trachea splits at the carina into the left and right bronchi. The bronchi get
smaller until reaching the terminal bronchioles where the alveoli are located .
Q13. The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the:
A. Bronchioles
B. Alveolar sacs
C. Apex of the lung
D. Pulmonary capillaries
