FISDAP Airway Final Practice
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
Pdf
1. During an initial airway assessment, which finding most strongly
suggests that a patient has a potentially obstructed upper airway?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Clear and equal breath sounds
C. High-pitched inspiratory stridor
D. Normal respiratory rate
Answer: C. High-pitched inspiratory stridor
Rationale: Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound usually produced by
turbulent airflow through a narrowed upper airway. It can occur with
swelling, foreign-body obstruction, or other causes of upper-airway
narrowing. Because significant obstruction can progress rapidly to
complete airway compromise, the finding requires immediate
attention. Clear breath sounds do not exclude an upper-airway
problem, while normal respiratory rate and warm, dry skin do not
specifically indicate obstruction.
2. A responsive adult with a suspected airway obstruction is unable to
speak, cough, or breathe effectively. What is the most appropriate
immediate intervention?
A. Begin abdominal thrusts according to current protocol
B. Administer a bronchodilator
,C. Place the patient supine and reassess
D. Begin chest compressions immediately
Answer: A. Begin abdominal thrusts according to current protocol
Rationale: A responsive adult with severe foreign-body airway
obstruction who cannot speak, cough effectively, or breathe requires
immediate obstruction-relief maneuvers. For an appropriate adult
patient, abdominal thrusts are commonly used, with modifications for
pregnancy or markedly obese patients according to current protocol. A
bronchodilator does not remove a foreign body. Positioning alone is
insufficient, and chest compressions are reserved for a patient who
becomes unresponsive.
3. Which structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Hard palate
D. Vocal cords
Answer: B. Epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped structure associated with the
entrance to the larynx. During swallowing, coordinated movement
helps protect the lower airway from material entering the laryngeal
opening. The vocal cords also contribute to airway protection, but the
epiglottis is the structure classically described as helping cover the
laryngeal inlet during swallowing. The uvula and hard palate
primarily contribute to functions involving the oral and pharyngeal
spaces rather than directly covering the tracheal entrance.
, 4. Which patient is most likely to benefit from a nasopharyngeal
airway?
A. An unconscious patient with a severe midface fracture
B. A patient with an intact gag reflex and decreased level of
consciousness
C. A patient with complete upper-airway obstruction from a foreign
body
D. A patient with severe basilar skull trauma
Answer: B. A patient with an intact gag reflex and decreased level of
consciousness
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway can help maintain upper-airway
patency in a patient who has decreased consciousness but retains a
gag reflex and therefore may not tolerate an oropharyngeal airway. It
is inserted through the nostril into the nasopharynx. Suspected
significant facial or basilar skull trauma may contraindicate or
require extreme caution with nasal airway insertion. An NPA does not
treat complete foreign-body obstruction.
5. Which airway adjunct is generally best suited for an unconscious
patient who has no gag reflex?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Oropharyngeal airway
D. Simple face mask
Answer: C. Oropharyngeal airway
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway is designed to prevent the tongue
from obstructing the pharynx and is generally appropriate for an
unconscious patient without an intact gag reflex. A patient who still
, has a gag reflex may vomit or retch when an OPA is inserted. Oxygen-
delivery devices such as a nasal cannula, nonrebreather mask, or
simple face mask may improve oxygen delivery but do not
mechanically relieve tongue-related upper-airway obstruction.
6. When opening the airway of a trauma patient in whom cervical
spine injury is suspected, which maneuver is generally preferred?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift only
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Hyperextension of the neck
D. Rotation of the head to the side
Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale: When cervical spine injury is suspected, the jaw-thrust
maneuver is commonly preferred because it can move the mandible
forward while minimizing movement of the cervical spine. Head-
tilt/chin-lift remains an effective airway-opening technique when
spinal injury is not suspected and may be used when the jaw thrust is
unsuccessful, depending on circumstances and current protocol. Neck
hyperextension and head rotation can produce unnecessary spinal
movement and should be avoided when cervical injury is a concern.
7. What is the primary purpose of suctioning the airway?
A. Increase blood pressure
B. Remove secretions, blood, vomitus, or other obstructing material
C. Decrease the patient's metabolic rate
D. Prevent all aspiration
Answer: B. Remove secretions, blood, vomitus, or other obstructing
material
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
1. During an initial airway assessment, which finding most strongly
suggests that a patient has a potentially obstructed upper airway?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Clear and equal breath sounds
C. High-pitched inspiratory stridor
D. Normal respiratory rate
Answer: C. High-pitched inspiratory stridor
Rationale: Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound usually produced by
turbulent airflow through a narrowed upper airway. It can occur with
swelling, foreign-body obstruction, or other causes of upper-airway
narrowing. Because significant obstruction can progress rapidly to
complete airway compromise, the finding requires immediate
attention. Clear breath sounds do not exclude an upper-airway
problem, while normal respiratory rate and warm, dry skin do not
specifically indicate obstruction.
2. A responsive adult with a suspected airway obstruction is unable to
speak, cough, or breathe effectively. What is the most appropriate
immediate intervention?
A. Begin abdominal thrusts according to current protocol
B. Administer a bronchodilator
,C. Place the patient supine and reassess
D. Begin chest compressions immediately
Answer: A. Begin abdominal thrusts according to current protocol
Rationale: A responsive adult with severe foreign-body airway
obstruction who cannot speak, cough effectively, or breathe requires
immediate obstruction-relief maneuvers. For an appropriate adult
patient, abdominal thrusts are commonly used, with modifications for
pregnancy or markedly obese patients according to current protocol. A
bronchodilator does not remove a foreign body. Positioning alone is
insufficient, and chest compressions are reserved for a patient who
becomes unresponsive.
3. Which structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Hard palate
D. Vocal cords
Answer: B. Epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped structure associated with the
entrance to the larynx. During swallowing, coordinated movement
helps protect the lower airway from material entering the laryngeal
opening. The vocal cords also contribute to airway protection, but the
epiglottis is the structure classically described as helping cover the
laryngeal inlet during swallowing. The uvula and hard palate
primarily contribute to functions involving the oral and pharyngeal
spaces rather than directly covering the tracheal entrance.
, 4. Which patient is most likely to benefit from a nasopharyngeal
airway?
A. An unconscious patient with a severe midface fracture
B. A patient with an intact gag reflex and decreased level of
consciousness
C. A patient with complete upper-airway obstruction from a foreign
body
D. A patient with severe basilar skull trauma
Answer: B. A patient with an intact gag reflex and decreased level of
consciousness
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway can help maintain upper-airway
patency in a patient who has decreased consciousness but retains a
gag reflex and therefore may not tolerate an oropharyngeal airway. It
is inserted through the nostril into the nasopharynx. Suspected
significant facial or basilar skull trauma may contraindicate or
require extreme caution with nasal airway insertion. An NPA does not
treat complete foreign-body obstruction.
5. Which airway adjunct is generally best suited for an unconscious
patient who has no gag reflex?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Oropharyngeal airway
D. Simple face mask
Answer: C. Oropharyngeal airway
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway is designed to prevent the tongue
from obstructing the pharynx and is generally appropriate for an
unconscious patient without an intact gag reflex. A patient who still
, has a gag reflex may vomit or retch when an OPA is inserted. Oxygen-
delivery devices such as a nasal cannula, nonrebreather mask, or
simple face mask may improve oxygen delivery but do not
mechanically relieve tongue-related upper-airway obstruction.
6. When opening the airway of a trauma patient in whom cervical
spine injury is suspected, which maneuver is generally preferred?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift only
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Hyperextension of the neck
D. Rotation of the head to the side
Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale: When cervical spine injury is suspected, the jaw-thrust
maneuver is commonly preferred because it can move the mandible
forward while minimizing movement of the cervical spine. Head-
tilt/chin-lift remains an effective airway-opening technique when
spinal injury is not suspected and may be used when the jaw thrust is
unsuccessful, depending on circumstances and current protocol. Neck
hyperextension and head rotation can produce unnecessary spinal
movement and should be avoided when cervical injury is a concern.
7. What is the primary purpose of suctioning the airway?
A. Increase blood pressure
B. Remove secretions, blood, vomitus, or other obstructing material
C. Decrease the patient's metabolic rate
D. Prevent all aspiration
Answer: B. Remove secretions, blood, vomitus, or other obstructing
material
