FTEC 93 Airway Practice Exam Questions and
answers with rationales 2026
1. Which structure is responsible for gas exchange?
A. Bronchi
B. Trachea
C. Alveoli
D. Epiglottis
Answer: C. Alveoli
Rationale: Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the alveoli.
2. An unconscious patient without a gag reflex requires an airway adjunct. Which is most
appropriate?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask
Answer: B. Oropharyngeal airway
Rationale: OPAs are used only in unconscious patients who lack a gag reflex.
3. The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult is:
A. 8–10 breaths/min
B. 10–14 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 22–30 breaths/min
Answer: C. 12–20 breaths/min
4. Which airway maneuver should be used for a trauma patient with suspected spinal injury?
A. Head tilt–chin lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Recovery position
D. Abdominal thrusts
Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
5. A patient who is breathing adequately but is hypoxic should receive:
,A. CPR
B. Oxygen therapy
C. Chest compressions
D. Defibrillation
Answer: B. Oxygen therapy
6. Which sign indicates inadequate breathing?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Equal chest rise
C. Shallow respirations
D. Pink skin
Answer: C. Shallow respirations
7. Cyanosis is usually a late sign of:
A. Hypertension
B. Hypoxia
C. Fever
D. Shock
Answer: B. Hypoxia
8. Before inserting an OPA, you should:
A. Lubricate it heavily
B. Measure it from the mouth to the angle of the jaw
C. Insert it through the nose
D. Hyperventilate the patient
Answer: B. Measure it from the mouth to the angle of the jaw
9. A patient with snoring respirations most likely has:
A. Fluid in the lungs
B. A partially obstructed airway
C. Hyperventilation
D. Bronchospasm
Answer: B. A partially obstructed airway
10. The best way to confirm adequate BVM ventilation is:
A. Increasing heart rate
B. Equal chest rise and fall
,C. Patient coughing
D. High blood pressure
Answer: B. Equal chest rise and fall
11. Which oxygen device can deliver the highest concentration of oxygen to a breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: C. Non-rebreather mask
12. An OPA should NOT be used in a patient who:
A. Is unconscious
B. Has no gag reflex
C. Has an intact gag reflex
D. Is apneic
Answer: C. Has an intact gag reflex
13. The primary purpose of suctioning is to:
A. Improve circulation
B. Remove airway secretions
C. Increase blood pressure
D. Reduce pain
Answer: B. Remove airway secretions
14. The tongue is the most common cause of airway obstruction in:
A. Conscious adults
B. Unconscious patients
C. Children only
D. Asthma patients
Answer: B. Unconscious patients
15. Which breath sound is commonly heard in asthma?
A. Rhonchi
B. Wheezing
C. Stridor
D. Crackles
, Answer: B. Wheezing
16. Stridor usually indicates obstruction of the:
A. Lower airway
B. Upper airway
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Answer: B. Upper airway
17. A pulse oximeter measures:
A. Blood pressure
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Oxygen saturation
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation
18. Normal pulse oximetry readings are generally:
A. 60–70%
B. 75–85%
C. 95–100%
D. 100–110%
Answer: C. 95–100%
19. A patient who is not breathing but has a pulse requires:
A. Chest compressions
B. Rescue breathing
C. Defibrillation
D. Abdominal thrusts
Answer: B. Rescue breathing
20. Which condition commonly causes crackles?
A. Asthma
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Croup
D. Epiglottitis
Answer: B. Pulmonary edema
answers with rationales 2026
1. Which structure is responsible for gas exchange?
A. Bronchi
B. Trachea
C. Alveoli
D. Epiglottis
Answer: C. Alveoli
Rationale: Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the alveoli.
2. An unconscious patient without a gag reflex requires an airway adjunct. Which is most
appropriate?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask
Answer: B. Oropharyngeal airway
Rationale: OPAs are used only in unconscious patients who lack a gag reflex.
3. The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult is:
A. 8–10 breaths/min
B. 10–14 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 22–30 breaths/min
Answer: C. 12–20 breaths/min
4. Which airway maneuver should be used for a trauma patient with suspected spinal injury?
A. Head tilt–chin lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Recovery position
D. Abdominal thrusts
Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
5. A patient who is breathing adequately but is hypoxic should receive:
,A. CPR
B. Oxygen therapy
C. Chest compressions
D. Defibrillation
Answer: B. Oxygen therapy
6. Which sign indicates inadequate breathing?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Equal chest rise
C. Shallow respirations
D. Pink skin
Answer: C. Shallow respirations
7. Cyanosis is usually a late sign of:
A. Hypertension
B. Hypoxia
C. Fever
D. Shock
Answer: B. Hypoxia
8. Before inserting an OPA, you should:
A. Lubricate it heavily
B. Measure it from the mouth to the angle of the jaw
C. Insert it through the nose
D. Hyperventilate the patient
Answer: B. Measure it from the mouth to the angle of the jaw
9. A patient with snoring respirations most likely has:
A. Fluid in the lungs
B. A partially obstructed airway
C. Hyperventilation
D. Bronchospasm
Answer: B. A partially obstructed airway
10. The best way to confirm adequate BVM ventilation is:
A. Increasing heart rate
B. Equal chest rise and fall
,C. Patient coughing
D. High blood pressure
Answer: B. Equal chest rise and fall
11. Which oxygen device can deliver the highest concentration of oxygen to a breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: C. Non-rebreather mask
12. An OPA should NOT be used in a patient who:
A. Is unconscious
B. Has no gag reflex
C. Has an intact gag reflex
D. Is apneic
Answer: C. Has an intact gag reflex
13. The primary purpose of suctioning is to:
A. Improve circulation
B. Remove airway secretions
C. Increase blood pressure
D. Reduce pain
Answer: B. Remove airway secretions
14. The tongue is the most common cause of airway obstruction in:
A. Conscious adults
B. Unconscious patients
C. Children only
D. Asthma patients
Answer: B. Unconscious patients
15. Which breath sound is commonly heard in asthma?
A. Rhonchi
B. Wheezing
C. Stridor
D. Crackles
, Answer: B. Wheezing
16. Stridor usually indicates obstruction of the:
A. Lower airway
B. Upper airway
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Answer: B. Upper airway
17. A pulse oximeter measures:
A. Blood pressure
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Oxygen saturation
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation
18. Normal pulse oximetry readings are generally:
A. 60–70%
B. 75–85%
C. 95–100%
D. 100–110%
Answer: C. 95–100%
19. A patient who is not breathing but has a pulse requires:
A. Chest compressions
B. Rescue breathing
C. Defibrillation
D. Abdominal thrusts
Answer: B. Rescue breathing
20. Which condition commonly causes crackles?
A. Asthma
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Croup
D. Epiglottitis
Answer: B. Pulmonary edema
