ATI Skills Module 3.0 Airway
Management
Verified Questions and Answers for
2026/2027
Which airway management action should the nurse perform first when approaching a client
who suddenly becomes unresponsive?
A. Apply oxygen using a nonrebreather mask
B. Check the client's pulse
C. Assess whether the airway is open
D. Begin chest compressions
✓✓ Answer: C. Assess whether the airway is open
A nurse is selecting an oropharyngeal airway for an unconscious client. Which finding indicates
the correct size has been chosen?
A. It reaches from the nose to the earlobe.
B. It extends from the chin to the clavicle.
C. It measures from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw.
D. It reaches from the lips to the sternum.
✓✓ Answer: C. It measures from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw.
Which client is the best candidate for insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway?
A. An unconscious client without a gag reflex
B. A conscious client with a partially obstructed airway
C. A client with severe facial fractures
D. A client experiencing active nasal bleeding
✓✓ Answer: B. A conscious client with a partially obstructed airway
A nurse is inserting an oropharyngeal airway into an adult client. What technique should be
used during insertion?
1
,A. Insert directly with the tip pointing upward.
B. Insert upside down, then rotate 180 degrees as it reaches the soft palate.
C. Insert through the nostril.
D. Rotate the airway several times after insertion.
✓✓ Answer: B. Insert upside down, then rotate 180 degrees as it reaches the soft palate.
Which assessment finding most strongly suggests an airway is partially obstructed?
A. Quiet breathing
B. Equal chest expansion
C. Gurgling sounds during breathing
D. Oxygen saturation of 99%
✓✓ Answer: C. Gurgling sounds during breathing
Before suctioning an endotracheal tube, the nurse should first
A. Instill sterile saline routinely.
B. Increase oxygen delivery to the client.
C. Place the client flat.
D. Disconnect oxygen for 2 minutes.
✓✓ Answer: B. Increase oxygen delivery to the client.
Which client finding indicates that suctioning should be performed?
A. Clear lung sounds
B. Strong productive cough
C. Audible secretions in the airway
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
✓✓ Answer: C. Audible secretions in the airway
The nurse should discontinue suctioning immediately if the client develops
A. Mild coughing
B. Oxygen saturation of 98%
2
, C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
D. Slight tearing of the eyes
✓✓ Answer: C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Which oxygen delivery device is most appropriate for a client requiring an exact oxygen
concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Venturi mask
C. Face tent
D. Partial rebreather mask
✓✓ Answer: B. Venturi mask
A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen through a simple face mask. What is the minimum
recommended oxygen flow rate?
A. 2 L/min
B. 3 L/min
C. 5 L/min
D. 15 L/min
✓✓ Answer: C. 5 L/min
Which assessment finding demonstrates effective bag-valve-mask ventilation?
A. Increasing abdominal distention
B. Equal bilateral chest rise
C. Cyanotic nail beds
D. Air escaping around the mask
✓✓ Answer: B. Equal bilateral chest rise
A client with suspected cervical spine injury requires airway opening. Which technique should
the nurse use?
A. Head-tilt chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
3
Management
Verified Questions and Answers for
2026/2027
Which airway management action should the nurse perform first when approaching a client
who suddenly becomes unresponsive?
A. Apply oxygen using a nonrebreather mask
B. Check the client's pulse
C. Assess whether the airway is open
D. Begin chest compressions
✓✓ Answer: C. Assess whether the airway is open
A nurse is selecting an oropharyngeal airway for an unconscious client. Which finding indicates
the correct size has been chosen?
A. It reaches from the nose to the earlobe.
B. It extends from the chin to the clavicle.
C. It measures from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw.
D. It reaches from the lips to the sternum.
✓✓ Answer: C. It measures from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw.
Which client is the best candidate for insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway?
A. An unconscious client without a gag reflex
B. A conscious client with a partially obstructed airway
C. A client with severe facial fractures
D. A client experiencing active nasal bleeding
✓✓ Answer: B. A conscious client with a partially obstructed airway
A nurse is inserting an oropharyngeal airway into an adult client. What technique should be
used during insertion?
1
,A. Insert directly with the tip pointing upward.
B. Insert upside down, then rotate 180 degrees as it reaches the soft palate.
C. Insert through the nostril.
D. Rotate the airway several times after insertion.
✓✓ Answer: B. Insert upside down, then rotate 180 degrees as it reaches the soft palate.
Which assessment finding most strongly suggests an airway is partially obstructed?
A. Quiet breathing
B. Equal chest expansion
C. Gurgling sounds during breathing
D. Oxygen saturation of 99%
✓✓ Answer: C. Gurgling sounds during breathing
Before suctioning an endotracheal tube, the nurse should first
A. Instill sterile saline routinely.
B. Increase oxygen delivery to the client.
C. Place the client flat.
D. Disconnect oxygen for 2 minutes.
✓✓ Answer: B. Increase oxygen delivery to the client.
Which client finding indicates that suctioning should be performed?
A. Clear lung sounds
B. Strong productive cough
C. Audible secretions in the airway
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
✓✓ Answer: C. Audible secretions in the airway
The nurse should discontinue suctioning immediately if the client develops
A. Mild coughing
B. Oxygen saturation of 98%
2
, C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
D. Slight tearing of the eyes
✓✓ Answer: C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Which oxygen delivery device is most appropriate for a client requiring an exact oxygen
concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Venturi mask
C. Face tent
D. Partial rebreather mask
✓✓ Answer: B. Venturi mask
A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen through a simple face mask. What is the minimum
recommended oxygen flow rate?
A. 2 L/min
B. 3 L/min
C. 5 L/min
D. 15 L/min
✓✓ Answer: C. 5 L/min
Which assessment finding demonstrates effective bag-valve-mask ventilation?
A. Increasing abdominal distention
B. Equal bilateral chest rise
C. Cyanotic nail beds
D. Air escaping around the mask
✓✓ Answer: B. Equal bilateral chest rise
A client with suspected cervical spine injury requires airway opening. Which technique should
the nurse use?
A. Head-tilt chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
3
