FISDAP Airway Examination
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Vocal cords
C. Epiglottis
D. Soft palate
Answer:
C. Epiglottis
Rationale:
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped structure that helps protect the lower
airway during swallowing. It moves over the laryngeal opening,
directing food and liquid toward the esophagus rather than the
trachea. The uvula and soft palate contribute to separating the
nasopharynx from the oropharynx during swallowing, while the vocal
cords are involved primarily in phonation and airway protection.
Understanding airway anatomy is fundamental when assessing
patients for obstruction or aspiration.
2. During an initial airway assessment, which finding most strongly
indicates that a patient's airway is currently patent?
A. The patient is able to speak clearly in full sentences
B. The patient has warm skin
,C. The patient has a palpable radial pulse
D. The patient has equal pupils
Answer:
A. The patient is able to speak clearly in full sentences
Rationale:
A patient who can speak clearly in full sentences is demonstrating
sufficient airflow through the upper airway to generate speech. This is
a useful immediate indication that the airway is patent at that moment.
However, airway patency must continue to be reassessed because
swelling, secretions, trauma, fatigue, or altered mental status can
cause deterioration. Pulse, skin temperature, and pupil findings do not
directly establish airway patency.
3. Which airway structure is commonly referred to as the voice box?
A. Pharynx
B. Larynx
C. Trachea
D. Esophagus
Answer:
B. Larynx
Rationale:
The larynx is commonly called the voice box because it contains the
vocal cords and participates in sound production. It also contributes to
airway protection by helping prevent foreign material from entering
the trachea. The pharynx serves as a passageway for air and food, the
trachea conducts air toward the bronchi, and the esophagus transports
swallowed material toward the stomach.
, 4. A patient with decreased consciousness has loud snoring
respirations. What is the most likely cause?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Partial upper-airway obstruction by the tongue
Answer:
D. Partial upper-airway obstruction by the tongue
Rationale:
Snoring commonly occurs when relaxed soft tissues, particularly the
tongue, partially obstruct the upper airway in a patient with decreased
consciousness. Positioning the airway appropriately and using an
airway-opening maneuver can often improve airflow. Bronchospasm
typically produces wheezing, pulmonary edema may produce crackles
or other abnormal lung sounds, and lower-airway obstruction does not
characteristically produce simple snoring.
5. Which airway-opening maneuver is generally appropriate for a
patient without suspected cervical spine injury?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust only
C. Abdominal thrust
D. Finger sweep
Answer:
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
Rationale:
The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is commonly used to open the airway
in an unresponsive patient when cervical spine injury is not suspected.
, It moves the mandible and tongue away from the posterior pharyngeal
structures. If trauma with possible cervical spine injury is suspected, a
jaw-thrust maneuver is generally preferred initially because it can
open the airway while minimizing head and neck movement. Blind
finger sweeps should not be performed.
6. A patient with suspected cervical spine trauma requires airway
opening. Which technique is generally preferred initially?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Abdominal thrust maneuver
D. Recovery-position maneuver
Answer:
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale:
The jaw-thrust maneuver can help open the airway while limiting
unnecessary movement of the cervical spine. It is particularly useful
when trauma creates concern for spinal injury. The head-tilt/chin-lift
remains an important airway-opening technique when spinal injury is
not suspected. If the airway cannot be adequately maintained using a
jaw thrust, airway management and adequate oxygenation take
priority, with appropriate spinal precautions maintained as
circumstances permit.
7. Which finding is most characteristic of complete airway
obstruction in a conscious adult?
A. Loud wheezing
B. Effective coughing
C. Inability to speak, cough, or breathe effectively
D. Normal speech with mild anxiety
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Vocal cords
C. Epiglottis
D. Soft palate
Answer:
C. Epiglottis
Rationale:
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped structure that helps protect the lower
airway during swallowing. It moves over the laryngeal opening,
directing food and liquid toward the esophagus rather than the
trachea. The uvula and soft palate contribute to separating the
nasopharynx from the oropharynx during swallowing, while the vocal
cords are involved primarily in phonation and airway protection.
Understanding airway anatomy is fundamental when assessing
patients for obstruction or aspiration.
2. During an initial airway assessment, which finding most strongly
indicates that a patient's airway is currently patent?
A. The patient is able to speak clearly in full sentences
B. The patient has warm skin
,C. The patient has a palpable radial pulse
D. The patient has equal pupils
Answer:
A. The patient is able to speak clearly in full sentences
Rationale:
A patient who can speak clearly in full sentences is demonstrating
sufficient airflow through the upper airway to generate speech. This is
a useful immediate indication that the airway is patent at that moment.
However, airway patency must continue to be reassessed because
swelling, secretions, trauma, fatigue, or altered mental status can
cause deterioration. Pulse, skin temperature, and pupil findings do not
directly establish airway patency.
3. Which airway structure is commonly referred to as the voice box?
A. Pharynx
B. Larynx
C. Trachea
D. Esophagus
Answer:
B. Larynx
Rationale:
The larynx is commonly called the voice box because it contains the
vocal cords and participates in sound production. It also contributes to
airway protection by helping prevent foreign material from entering
the trachea. The pharynx serves as a passageway for air and food, the
trachea conducts air toward the bronchi, and the esophagus transports
swallowed material toward the stomach.
, 4. A patient with decreased consciousness has loud snoring
respirations. What is the most likely cause?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Partial upper-airway obstruction by the tongue
Answer:
D. Partial upper-airway obstruction by the tongue
Rationale:
Snoring commonly occurs when relaxed soft tissues, particularly the
tongue, partially obstruct the upper airway in a patient with decreased
consciousness. Positioning the airway appropriately and using an
airway-opening maneuver can often improve airflow. Bronchospasm
typically produces wheezing, pulmonary edema may produce crackles
or other abnormal lung sounds, and lower-airway obstruction does not
characteristically produce simple snoring.
5. Which airway-opening maneuver is generally appropriate for a
patient without suspected cervical spine injury?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust only
C. Abdominal thrust
D. Finger sweep
Answer:
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
Rationale:
The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is commonly used to open the airway
in an unresponsive patient when cervical spine injury is not suspected.
, It moves the mandible and tongue away from the posterior pharyngeal
structures. If trauma with possible cervical spine injury is suspected, a
jaw-thrust maneuver is generally preferred initially because it can
open the airway while minimizing head and neck movement. Blind
finger sweeps should not be performed.
6. A patient with suspected cervical spine trauma requires airway
opening. Which technique is generally preferred initially?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Abdominal thrust maneuver
D. Recovery-position maneuver
Answer:
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale:
The jaw-thrust maneuver can help open the airway while limiting
unnecessary movement of the cervical spine. It is particularly useful
when trauma creates concern for spinal injury. The head-tilt/chin-lift
remains an important airway-opening technique when spinal injury is
not suspected. If the airway cannot be adequately maintained using a
jaw thrust, airway management and adequate oxygenation take
priority, with appropriate spinal precautions maintained as
circumstances permit.
7. Which finding is most characteristic of complete airway
obstruction in a conscious adult?
A. Loud wheezing
B. Effective coughing
C. Inability to speak, cough, or breathe effectively
D. Normal speech with mild anxiety
