JBL Airway Ultimate Exam
**Question 1.** Which cartilage forms the anterior wall of the adult larynx and is commonly referred to
as the "Adam’s apple"?
A) Cricoid cartilage
B) Arytenoid cartilage
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Epiglottis
Answer: C
Explanation: The thyroid cartilage is the largest laryngeal cartilage, forming the anterior wall and
creating the prominent “Adam’s apple” in adults.
**Question 2.** In a pediatric airway, the narrowest segment is located at:
A) Vocal cords
B) Cricoid ring
C) Glottic opening
D) Subglottic space
Answer: B
Explanation: In children, the cricoid cartilage (a complete ring) is the narrowest portion, unlike adults
where the glottis is narrowest.
**Question 3.** The LEMON mnemonic used for predicting difficult intubation includes “M” for:
A) Mallampati score
B) Mouth opening
C) Mandibular protrusion
D) Maxillary arch
Answer: A
Explanation: “M” stands for Mallampati classification, assessing visibility of oropharyngeal structures.
**Question 4.** Which of the following best describes the function of the epiglottis during swallowing?
A) Generates vocal sound
B) Stabilizes the trachea
, JBL Airway Ultimate Exam
C) Prevents entry of food into the airway
D) Controls airflow resistance
Answer: C
Explanation: The epiglottis folds down to cover the glottis, protecting the airway from ingested material.
**Question 5.** According to Boyle’s Law, during inspiration the intrapulmonary pressure:
A) Increases, causing air to flow out
B) Decreases, causing air to flow in
C) Remains constant
D) Equals atmospheric pressure
Answer: B
Explanation: Boyle’s Law states that pressure and volume are inversely related; lung expansion lowers
pressure, drawing air inward.
**Question 6.** The primary site of gas exchange in the lungs is:
A) Bronchi
B) Alveolar ducts
C) Alveolar sacs
D) Trachea
Answer: C
Explanation: Alveolar sacs contain numerous alveoli where the thin alveolar-capillary membrane
facilitates diffusion of O₂ and CO₂.
**Question 7.** Which chemoreceptor type is most sensitive to changes in arterial pH?
A) Central chemoreceptors in the medulla
B) Peripheral carotid bodies
C) Peripheral aortic bodies
D) Pulmonary stretch receptors
Answer: A
, JBL Airway Ultimate Exam
Explanation: Central chemoreceptors respond primarily to changes in cerebrospinal fluid pH, which
reflects arterial CO₂ levels.
**Question 8.** A rightward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicates:
A) Increased affinity for O₂
B) Decreased affinity for O₂
C) No change in O₂ delivery
D) Increased hemoglobin concentration
Answer: B
Explanation: A rightward shift (e.g., due to acidosis, ↑ 2,3-DPG, temperature) reduces hemoglobin’s
affinity, facilitating O₂ release to tissues.
**Question 9.** The “3-3-2” component of the LEMON assessment refers to:
A) Mallampati, mouth opening, mandibular space
B) Thyromental distance, mouth opening, neck extension
C) Thyromental distance, mouth opening, mandibular protrusion
D) Thyromental distance, mouth opening, neck mobility
Answer: D
Explanation: “3-3-2” measures thyromental distance (≥ 6 cm), mouth opening (≥ 3 cm), and neck
extension (≥ 2 cm) to predict intubation difficulty.
**Question 10.** Which of the following is a limitation of pulse oximetry?
A) Inability to detect hypoventilation
B) Direct measurement of PaCO₂
C) Accurate reading in severe anemia
D) Provides real-time ventilation waveform
Answer: A
Explanation: Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation but cannot detect hypoventilation or
hypercapnia directly.
, JBL Airway Ultimate Exam
**Question 11.** Capnography waveform that shows a “shark-fin” shape most likely indicates:
A) Hyperventilation
B) Bronchospasm
C) Airway obstruction
D) Cardiac arrest
Answer: B
Explanation: A “shark-fin” capnography curve is characteristic of obstructive airway disease such as
bronchospasm.
**Question 12.** The primary purpose of the jaw-thrust maneuver is to:
A) Open the airway by displacing the tongue posteriorly
B) Stabilize the cervical spine in trauma
C) Elevate the mandible and lift the epiglottis away from the posterior pharynx
D) Increase tidal volume during ventilation
Answer: C
Explanation: Jaw-thrust lifts the mandible forward, pulling the epiglottis away and opening the airway
without moving the neck.
**Question 13.** An appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway (OPA) for an adult with a 10 cm mouth
opening should be:
A) 6 cm
B) 8 cm
C) 10 cm
D) 12 cm
Answer: B
Explanation: OPA size is roughly the distance from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible;
for a 10 cm opening, an 8 cm OPA is typical.
**Question 14.** Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest FiO₂ at flow rates ≤ 15 L/min?
A) Nasal cannula
**Question 1.** Which cartilage forms the anterior wall of the adult larynx and is commonly referred to
as the "Adam’s apple"?
A) Cricoid cartilage
B) Arytenoid cartilage
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Epiglottis
Answer: C
Explanation: The thyroid cartilage is the largest laryngeal cartilage, forming the anterior wall and
creating the prominent “Adam’s apple” in adults.
**Question 2.** In a pediatric airway, the narrowest segment is located at:
A) Vocal cords
B) Cricoid ring
C) Glottic opening
D) Subglottic space
Answer: B
Explanation: In children, the cricoid cartilage (a complete ring) is the narrowest portion, unlike adults
where the glottis is narrowest.
**Question 3.** The LEMON mnemonic used for predicting difficult intubation includes “M” for:
A) Mallampati score
B) Mouth opening
C) Mandibular protrusion
D) Maxillary arch
Answer: A
Explanation: “M” stands for Mallampati classification, assessing visibility of oropharyngeal structures.
**Question 4.** Which of the following best describes the function of the epiglottis during swallowing?
A) Generates vocal sound
B) Stabilizes the trachea
, JBL Airway Ultimate Exam
C) Prevents entry of food into the airway
D) Controls airflow resistance
Answer: C
Explanation: The epiglottis folds down to cover the glottis, protecting the airway from ingested material.
**Question 5.** According to Boyle’s Law, during inspiration the intrapulmonary pressure:
A) Increases, causing air to flow out
B) Decreases, causing air to flow in
C) Remains constant
D) Equals atmospheric pressure
Answer: B
Explanation: Boyle’s Law states that pressure and volume are inversely related; lung expansion lowers
pressure, drawing air inward.
**Question 6.** The primary site of gas exchange in the lungs is:
A) Bronchi
B) Alveolar ducts
C) Alveolar sacs
D) Trachea
Answer: C
Explanation: Alveolar sacs contain numerous alveoli where the thin alveolar-capillary membrane
facilitates diffusion of O₂ and CO₂.
**Question 7.** Which chemoreceptor type is most sensitive to changes in arterial pH?
A) Central chemoreceptors in the medulla
B) Peripheral carotid bodies
C) Peripheral aortic bodies
D) Pulmonary stretch receptors
Answer: A
, JBL Airway Ultimate Exam
Explanation: Central chemoreceptors respond primarily to changes in cerebrospinal fluid pH, which
reflects arterial CO₂ levels.
**Question 8.** A rightward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicates:
A) Increased affinity for O₂
B) Decreased affinity for O₂
C) No change in O₂ delivery
D) Increased hemoglobin concentration
Answer: B
Explanation: A rightward shift (e.g., due to acidosis, ↑ 2,3-DPG, temperature) reduces hemoglobin’s
affinity, facilitating O₂ release to tissues.
**Question 9.** The “3-3-2” component of the LEMON assessment refers to:
A) Mallampati, mouth opening, mandibular space
B) Thyromental distance, mouth opening, neck extension
C) Thyromental distance, mouth opening, mandibular protrusion
D) Thyromental distance, mouth opening, neck mobility
Answer: D
Explanation: “3-3-2” measures thyromental distance (≥ 6 cm), mouth opening (≥ 3 cm), and neck
extension (≥ 2 cm) to predict intubation difficulty.
**Question 10.** Which of the following is a limitation of pulse oximetry?
A) Inability to detect hypoventilation
B) Direct measurement of PaCO₂
C) Accurate reading in severe anemia
D) Provides real-time ventilation waveform
Answer: A
Explanation: Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation but cannot detect hypoventilation or
hypercapnia directly.
, JBL Airway Ultimate Exam
**Question 11.** Capnography waveform that shows a “shark-fin” shape most likely indicates:
A) Hyperventilation
B) Bronchospasm
C) Airway obstruction
D) Cardiac arrest
Answer: B
Explanation: A “shark-fin” capnography curve is characteristic of obstructive airway disease such as
bronchospasm.
**Question 12.** The primary purpose of the jaw-thrust maneuver is to:
A) Open the airway by displacing the tongue posteriorly
B) Stabilize the cervical spine in trauma
C) Elevate the mandible and lift the epiglottis away from the posterior pharynx
D) Increase tidal volume during ventilation
Answer: C
Explanation: Jaw-thrust lifts the mandible forward, pulling the epiglottis away and opening the airway
without moving the neck.
**Question 13.** An appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway (OPA) for an adult with a 10 cm mouth
opening should be:
A) 6 cm
B) 8 cm
C) 10 cm
D) 12 cm
Answer: B
Explanation: OPA size is roughly the distance from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the mandible;
for a 10 cm opening, an 8 cm OPA is typical.
**Question 14.** Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest FiO₂ at flow rates ≤ 15 L/min?
A) Nasal cannula
