NBCRNA Exam Questions with 100% Verified
Correct Answers
Muscle that tenses vocal cords
Cricothyroid
Muscle that relaxes vocal cords
Thyroarytenoid
Muscle that abducts vocal cords
Posterior cricoarytenoid
Muscle that adducts vocal cords
Lateral cricoarytenoid
Sensory innervation of upper airway
Trigeminal nerve:
V1 (ophthalmic) - nares + anterior 1/3 septum
V2 (maxillary) - turbinates + septum
V3 (mandibular) - anterior 2/4 tongue
Glossopharyngeal nerve:
Posterior 1/3 tongue/soft palate/oropharynx
Vallecula, anterior epiglottis
Vagus nerve:
,SLN (internal branch): posterior epiglottis to vocal cords
RLN: below vocal cords to trachea
Superior laryngeal nerve external branch
Motor to cricothyroid muscle
Superior laryngeal nerve internal branch
Sensory posterior epiglottis to vocal cords
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Sensation below vocal cords to trachea
Motor: all intrinsic Laryngeal muscles except cricothyroid
Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury
Bilateral acute: respiratory distress due to unopposed action of cricothyroid muscles
Bilateral chronic and unilateral = no respiratory distress
Superior laryngeal nerve injury
No respiratory distress but possible voice changes /hoarseness
Glossopharyngeal nerve block location
Anterior tonsilar pillar
Superior laryngeal nerve block location
Greater corneu of hyoid bone
Transtracheal nerve block location
Cricothyroid membrane
, 3 paired cartilages of larynx
Corniculate
Arytenoid
Cuneiform
3 unpaired cartilages of the larynx
Epiglottis
Thyroid
Cricoid
Adult larynx spinal levels
C3-C6
Where do vocal cords attach?
Anteriorly: thyroid cartilage
Posteriorly: arytenoids
Laryngospasm risk factors
Recent URI
Infants/young children
Asthma
Smoking
ASA 4, prematurity, GERD, OSA
Airway procedures (T&A)
Muscles of inspiration
Diaphragm, external intercostals
Correct Answers
Muscle that tenses vocal cords
Cricothyroid
Muscle that relaxes vocal cords
Thyroarytenoid
Muscle that abducts vocal cords
Posterior cricoarytenoid
Muscle that adducts vocal cords
Lateral cricoarytenoid
Sensory innervation of upper airway
Trigeminal nerve:
V1 (ophthalmic) - nares + anterior 1/3 septum
V2 (maxillary) - turbinates + septum
V3 (mandibular) - anterior 2/4 tongue
Glossopharyngeal nerve:
Posterior 1/3 tongue/soft palate/oropharynx
Vallecula, anterior epiglottis
Vagus nerve:
,SLN (internal branch): posterior epiglottis to vocal cords
RLN: below vocal cords to trachea
Superior laryngeal nerve external branch
Motor to cricothyroid muscle
Superior laryngeal nerve internal branch
Sensory posterior epiglottis to vocal cords
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Sensation below vocal cords to trachea
Motor: all intrinsic Laryngeal muscles except cricothyroid
Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury
Bilateral acute: respiratory distress due to unopposed action of cricothyroid muscles
Bilateral chronic and unilateral = no respiratory distress
Superior laryngeal nerve injury
No respiratory distress but possible voice changes /hoarseness
Glossopharyngeal nerve block location
Anterior tonsilar pillar
Superior laryngeal nerve block location
Greater corneu of hyoid bone
Transtracheal nerve block location
Cricothyroid membrane
, 3 paired cartilages of larynx
Corniculate
Arytenoid
Cuneiform
3 unpaired cartilages of the larynx
Epiglottis
Thyroid
Cricoid
Adult larynx spinal levels
C3-C6
Where do vocal cords attach?
Anteriorly: thyroid cartilage
Posteriorly: arytenoids
Laryngospasm risk factors
Recent URI
Infants/young children
Asthma
Smoking
ASA 4, prematurity, GERD, OSA
Airway procedures (T&A)
Muscles of inspiration
Diaphragm, external intercostals
