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PARAMEDIC AIRWAY FISDAP REVIEW
PART 1 2025|CERTIFIED EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
An artificial airway adjunct may be needed to help maintain airway patency in an
unresponsive patient after manually opening the airway and suctioning.
**Not a substitute for proper head positioning**--> Even after an airway adjunct
has been inserted, the appropriate manual position of the head must be
maintained.
1. Oropharyngeal (oral) airway
2. Nasopharyngeal airway - Correct-answer-Airway Adjuncts
1. Curved, hard plastic device that fits over the back of the tongue
a. Facilitates ventilation with a bag-mask device
b. An effective bite-block
2. Should be inserted in unresponsive patients who have no gag reflex
a. Will stimulate gagging and retching in a responsive patient
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b. To assess gag reflex, use the eyelash reflex.
c. If the patient gags during insertion, remove the device immediately and be
prepared to suction.
-Considerations
*1. Indications:*
Unresponsive patients who have no gag reflex
*2. Contraindications*
i. Responsive patients
ii. Patients with a gag reflex
*3. Advantages*
i. Noninvasive
ii. Easily placed
iii. Prevents blockage of the glottis by the tongue
*4. Disadvantages:* No prevention of aspiration
*5. Complications*
i. Unexpected gag may cause vomiting.
ii. Improper technique may cause pharyngeal or dental trauma.
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-If the oral airway is improperly sized or is inserted incorrectly, it co - Correct-
answer-Oropharyngeal (oral) airway
-Soft, rubber tube inserted through the nose into the posterior pharynx
-Allows passage of air from the nose to the lower airway
-Range in size from 12 French to 32 French; length depends on size
-Much better tolerated in patients with an intact gag reflex but an altered LOC
-**Do not use with trauma to the nose or if you suspect a skull fracture.**
-Must be inserted gently to avoid precipitating epistaxis:
a. Lubricate the airway generously with a water-soluble gel, preferably one that
contains a local anesthetic.
b. Slide it gently, tip downward, into one nostril.
c. If you meet resistance, try the other nostril.
d. If the nasal airway is too long, then it may obstruct the patient's airway.
e. If the patient becomes intolerant of the nasal airway, then gently remove it
from the nasal passage.
f. Have suction readily available.
-Considerations
*1. Indications*
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i. Unresponsive patients
ii. Altered mental status who - Correct-answer-Nasopharyngeal Airway
Causes of airway obstruction:
1. Sudden foreign body airway obstruction usually occurs:
a. During a meal in an adult
b. While eating or playing with small toys in children
2. Tongue
a. With altered LOC, the tongue tends to fall back against the posterior wall of the
pharynx, closing off the airway.
b. Partial tongue obstruction: Snoring respirations.
c. Complete obstruction: No respirations
d. Simple to correct using a manual maneuver
3. Laryngeal edema
4. Laryngeal spasm
5. Trauma
PARAMEDIC AIRWAY FISDAP REVIEW
PART 1 2025|CERTIFIED EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
An artificial airway adjunct may be needed to help maintain airway patency in an
unresponsive patient after manually opening the airway and suctioning.
**Not a substitute for proper head positioning**--> Even after an airway adjunct
has been inserted, the appropriate manual position of the head must be
maintained.
1. Oropharyngeal (oral) airway
2. Nasopharyngeal airway - Correct-answer-Airway Adjuncts
1. Curved, hard plastic device that fits over the back of the tongue
a. Facilitates ventilation with a bag-mask device
b. An effective bite-block
2. Should be inserted in unresponsive patients who have no gag reflex
a. Will stimulate gagging and retching in a responsive patient
,2|Page
b. To assess gag reflex, use the eyelash reflex.
c. If the patient gags during insertion, remove the device immediately and be
prepared to suction.
-Considerations
*1. Indications:*
Unresponsive patients who have no gag reflex
*2. Contraindications*
i. Responsive patients
ii. Patients with a gag reflex
*3. Advantages*
i. Noninvasive
ii. Easily placed
iii. Prevents blockage of the glottis by the tongue
*4. Disadvantages:* No prevention of aspiration
*5. Complications*
i. Unexpected gag may cause vomiting.
ii. Improper technique may cause pharyngeal or dental trauma.
,3|Page
-If the oral airway is improperly sized or is inserted incorrectly, it co - Correct-
answer-Oropharyngeal (oral) airway
-Soft, rubber tube inserted through the nose into the posterior pharynx
-Allows passage of air from the nose to the lower airway
-Range in size from 12 French to 32 French; length depends on size
-Much better tolerated in patients with an intact gag reflex but an altered LOC
-**Do not use with trauma to the nose or if you suspect a skull fracture.**
-Must be inserted gently to avoid precipitating epistaxis:
a. Lubricate the airway generously with a water-soluble gel, preferably one that
contains a local anesthetic.
b. Slide it gently, tip downward, into one nostril.
c. If you meet resistance, try the other nostril.
d. If the nasal airway is too long, then it may obstruct the patient's airway.
e. If the patient becomes intolerant of the nasal airway, then gently remove it
from the nasal passage.
f. Have suction readily available.
-Considerations
*1. Indications*
, 4|Page
i. Unresponsive patients
ii. Altered mental status who - Correct-answer-Nasopharyngeal Airway
Causes of airway obstruction:
1. Sudden foreign body airway obstruction usually occurs:
a. During a meal in an adult
b. While eating or playing with small toys in children
2. Tongue
a. With altered LOC, the tongue tends to fall back against the posterior wall of the
pharynx, closing off the airway.
b. Partial tongue obstruction: Snoring respirations.
c. Complete obstruction: No respirations
d. Simple to correct using a manual maneuver
3. Laryngeal edema
4. Laryngeal spasm
5. Trauma
