FISDAP Airway and Oxygenation
Practice Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A conscious adult is speaking clearly but reports mild shortness of
breath. Which initial assessment is most appropriate?
A. Immediately insert an oropharyngeal airway
B. Apply a nonrebreather mask at 15 L/min
C. Assess airway patency, breathing, respiratory effort, and oxygen
saturation
D. Perform abdominal thrusts
Answer: C
Rationale: The initial assessment should determine whether the airway
is patent and whether breathing is adequate. Respiratory rate, effort,
lung sounds, skin findings, mental status, and oxygen saturation help
establish the patient's respiratory status before selecting an
intervention.
2. Which finding most strongly suggests complete upper-airway
obstruction in an adult?
A. Inability to speak, breathe, or cough effectively
B. Loud wheezing with prolonged expiration
C. Crackles throughout both lung fields
D. Mild tachypnea with normal speech
,Answer: A
Rationale: A patient with a severe or complete obstruction cannot
move enough air to speak or produce an effective cough. Immediate
airway intervention is required because complete obstruction can
rapidly progress to hypoxia, cardiac arrest, and death.
3. What is the primary purpose of supplemental oxygen?
A. Increase blood pressure
B. Decrease respiratory rate in every patient
C. Prevent all forms of respiratory distress
D. Increase the amount of oxygen available for gas exchange and
tissue oxygenation
Answer: D
Rationale: Supplemental oxygen increases the inspired oxygen
concentration and can improve oxygen availability when oxygenation
is inadequate. It does not directly correct every cause of respiratory
distress, so the underlying problem must also be addressed.
4. Which oxygen-delivery device generally provides the highest
oxygen concentration to a spontaneously breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask with an adequately inflated reservoir
C. Simple face mask
D. Venturi mask set to its lowest concentration
Answer: B
Rationale: A properly functioning nonrebreather mask can provide a
high concentration of oxygen when connected to an appropriate
oxygen source and used correctly. The reservoir bag should remain
partially inflated during inspiration.
, 5. A patient with respiratory distress has an oxygen saturation of 86%
and is breathing adequately. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen and reassess the patient's
response
B. Withhold oxygen because oxygen saturation is below normal
C. Give the patient water
D. Immediately insert a nasopharyngeal airway
Answer: A
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant
hypoxemia. Supplemental oxygen is appropriate while the provider
continues evaluating the cause of the respiratory distress and monitors
the patient's response.
6. Which device is most appropriate for a patient who is breathing
spontaneously but requires a controlled, relatively precise oxygen
concentration?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Bag-valve mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Pocket mask without oxygen
Answer: C
Rationale: A Venturi mask uses controlled entrainment of room air to
deliver a relatively fixed oxygen concentration. It is particularly useful
when precise oxygen concentration is desired.
7. What is the correct basic principle when selecting an oxygen-
delivery device?
, A. Always use the device with the lowest flow rate
B. Match the device and flow rate to the patient's oxygenation needs
and respiratory condition
C. Use a nonrebreather for every patient
D. Avoid reassessment after oxygen is applied
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen therapy should be individualized. The clinician
should select an appropriate device, oxygen concentration, and flow
based on respiratory status, oxygen saturation, work of breathing,
clinical presentation, and applicable protocols.
8. Which assessment finding indicates inadequate breathing rather
than simply respiratory distress?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Respiratory rate of 20/min with normal effort
C. Slightly increased respiratory rate while speaking normally
D. Slow, shallow respirations with poor chest rise and altered mental
status
Answer: D
Rationale: Inadequate breathing is characterized by insufficient
ventilation and oxygenation. Poor chest movement, shallow
respirations, declining mental status, and inadequate air exchange are
major warning signs requiring assisted ventilation rather than oxygen
alone.
9. Which airway adjunct is generally appropriate for an unconscious
patient without a gag reflex?
A. Oropharyngeal airway
B. Nasal cannula
Practice Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A conscious adult is speaking clearly but reports mild shortness of
breath. Which initial assessment is most appropriate?
A. Immediately insert an oropharyngeal airway
B. Apply a nonrebreather mask at 15 L/min
C. Assess airway patency, breathing, respiratory effort, and oxygen
saturation
D. Perform abdominal thrusts
Answer: C
Rationale: The initial assessment should determine whether the airway
is patent and whether breathing is adequate. Respiratory rate, effort,
lung sounds, skin findings, mental status, and oxygen saturation help
establish the patient's respiratory status before selecting an
intervention.
2. Which finding most strongly suggests complete upper-airway
obstruction in an adult?
A. Inability to speak, breathe, or cough effectively
B. Loud wheezing with prolonged expiration
C. Crackles throughout both lung fields
D. Mild tachypnea with normal speech
,Answer: A
Rationale: A patient with a severe or complete obstruction cannot
move enough air to speak or produce an effective cough. Immediate
airway intervention is required because complete obstruction can
rapidly progress to hypoxia, cardiac arrest, and death.
3. What is the primary purpose of supplemental oxygen?
A. Increase blood pressure
B. Decrease respiratory rate in every patient
C. Prevent all forms of respiratory distress
D. Increase the amount of oxygen available for gas exchange and
tissue oxygenation
Answer: D
Rationale: Supplemental oxygen increases the inspired oxygen
concentration and can improve oxygen availability when oxygenation
is inadequate. It does not directly correct every cause of respiratory
distress, so the underlying problem must also be addressed.
4. Which oxygen-delivery device generally provides the highest
oxygen concentration to a spontaneously breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask with an adequately inflated reservoir
C. Simple face mask
D. Venturi mask set to its lowest concentration
Answer: B
Rationale: A properly functioning nonrebreather mask can provide a
high concentration of oxygen when connected to an appropriate
oxygen source and used correctly. The reservoir bag should remain
partially inflated during inspiration.
, 5. A patient with respiratory distress has an oxygen saturation of 86%
and is breathing adequately. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen and reassess the patient's
response
B. Withhold oxygen because oxygen saturation is below normal
C. Give the patient water
D. Immediately insert a nasopharyngeal airway
Answer: A
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant
hypoxemia. Supplemental oxygen is appropriate while the provider
continues evaluating the cause of the respiratory distress and monitors
the patient's response.
6. Which device is most appropriate for a patient who is breathing
spontaneously but requires a controlled, relatively precise oxygen
concentration?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Bag-valve mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Pocket mask without oxygen
Answer: C
Rationale: A Venturi mask uses controlled entrainment of room air to
deliver a relatively fixed oxygen concentration. It is particularly useful
when precise oxygen concentration is desired.
7. What is the correct basic principle when selecting an oxygen-
delivery device?
, A. Always use the device with the lowest flow rate
B. Match the device and flow rate to the patient's oxygenation needs
and respiratory condition
C. Use a nonrebreather for every patient
D. Avoid reassessment after oxygen is applied
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen therapy should be individualized. The clinician
should select an appropriate device, oxygen concentration, and flow
based on respiratory status, oxygen saturation, work of breathing,
clinical presentation, and applicable protocols.
8. Which assessment finding indicates inadequate breathing rather
than simply respiratory distress?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Respiratory rate of 20/min with normal effort
C. Slightly increased respiratory rate while speaking normally
D. Slow, shallow respirations with poor chest rise and altered mental
status
Answer: D
Rationale: Inadequate breathing is characterized by insufficient
ventilation and oxygenation. Poor chest movement, shallow
respirations, declining mental status, and inadequate air exchange are
major warning signs requiring assisted ventilation rather than oxygen
alone.
9. Which airway adjunct is generally appropriate for an unconscious
patient without a gag reflex?
A. Oropharyngeal airway
B. Nasal cannula
