FISDAP AIRWAY EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100%
CORRECT RATED A+ ||NEWLY
UPDATED 2026
Treating an asthma exacerbation
Help patient use their inhaler. If it's not available paramedics can administer
albuterol and/or a steroid inhaler (symbicort). Administer oxygen as needed.
This can range from 2L to 100% NRB
2. Pneumonia
Signs & Symptoms
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung parenchyma (alveoli), leading to local
inflammation and impaired gas exchange.
Productive Cough: Often producing green, yellow, or rust-colored phlegm
(sputum).
Fever, Chills, & Diaphoresis: Classic systemic infectious response.
Pleuritic Chest Pain: Sharp chest pain that worsens with deep inspiration or
coughing.
Dyspnea & Tachypnea: Shortness of breath, often accompanied by
localized rhonchi or crackles (rales) on auscultation.
General Fatigue & Malaise: Common systemic symptoms, particularly in
elderly patients who may present with acute altered mental status rather than
a high fever.
3. Emphysema (Type of COPD)
Signs & Symptoms
,Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls distal to
terminal bronchioles, resulting in loss of elastic recoil and air trapping.
Dyspnea on Exertion (DOE): Progressive shortness of breath, initially
triggered by physical activity and eventually present at rest.
Barrel Chest: Increased anterior-posterior (A-P) diameter of the chest
cavity caused by chronic air trapping and hyperinflation.
"Pink Puffer" Appearance: Patients often maintain normal blood oxygen
levels until late stages by hyperventilating, presenting with a pink
complexion and using pursed-lip breathing.
Chronic Cough & Wheezing: Typically with minimal sputum production
compared to chronic bronchitis.
Fatigue & Sleep Disturbance: Secondary to the high energy cost of
breathing and nocturnal hypoxemia.
Side effects of a beta 2 medication
Bronchodilators can cause symptoms like dry mouth, a fast heart rate,
tremors/shaking, anxiety, dizziness, headaches and other rare side effects like
an upset stomach.
Techniques for administering a prescribed inhaler
Remove the cap and shake the inhaler. Have the patient blow a deep breath out.
Then you put the inhaler in their mouth, and have them place it between their
teeth and seal their lips around it. Instruct the patient to take a deep SLOW
breath in as you press down on the canister and continue to breath in for 10
seconds. After administered, place the cap back on the inhaler. You can repeat
this in one minute.
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema
, Can be caused by a heart condition or pneumonia. Chest pain, coughing, feeling
tired, getting short of breath are all symptoms. Rapid and shallow respirations,
dyspnea.
Signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis
Affects the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. Abdominal pain,
diarrhea or constipation, and heartburn. Coughing w/ or w/o blood; mucous,
wheezing, SOB, pulmonary hypertension. This condition could lead to acute
bronchitis, inability to gain weight - weight loss, and pneumonia.
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary chest pain
There are several intense symptoms associated with pulmonary chest pain.
Someone can feel tight, burning, or intense pressure. There can be acute pain
that worsens with activity, comes and goes, or pain that stays
Differentiate between congestive heart failure and pneumonia
Both CHF and pneumonia cause the lungs to retain fluid, the main difference is
why the fluid is there. A patient with congestive heart failure not only has fluid
in their lungs (pleural effusion, pulmonary edema), but will also have fluid
build up in their peripheral extremities. This is caused by biventricular
backflow/regurgitation. Blood from the right side of the heart backs into the
extremities causing fluid retention. Similarly blood from the left side of the
heart backflows into the lungs which causes pulmonary hypertension,
pulmonary edema, and other fluid related problems.
Pneumonia is caused by a bacterial or viral infection and is treated with
antibiotics and/or cough medicine. CHF is treated with Lasix and possible
surgery (TAVR, Mitral Clip, open heart)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100%
CORRECT RATED A+ ||NEWLY
UPDATED 2026
Treating an asthma exacerbation
Help patient use their inhaler. If it's not available paramedics can administer
albuterol and/or a steroid inhaler (symbicort). Administer oxygen as needed.
This can range from 2L to 100% NRB
2. Pneumonia
Signs & Symptoms
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung parenchyma (alveoli), leading to local
inflammation and impaired gas exchange.
Productive Cough: Often producing green, yellow, or rust-colored phlegm
(sputum).
Fever, Chills, & Diaphoresis: Classic systemic infectious response.
Pleuritic Chest Pain: Sharp chest pain that worsens with deep inspiration or
coughing.
Dyspnea & Tachypnea: Shortness of breath, often accompanied by
localized rhonchi or crackles (rales) on auscultation.
General Fatigue & Malaise: Common systemic symptoms, particularly in
elderly patients who may present with acute altered mental status rather than
a high fever.
3. Emphysema (Type of COPD)
Signs & Symptoms
,Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls distal to
terminal bronchioles, resulting in loss of elastic recoil and air trapping.
Dyspnea on Exertion (DOE): Progressive shortness of breath, initially
triggered by physical activity and eventually present at rest.
Barrel Chest: Increased anterior-posterior (A-P) diameter of the chest
cavity caused by chronic air trapping and hyperinflation.
"Pink Puffer" Appearance: Patients often maintain normal blood oxygen
levels until late stages by hyperventilating, presenting with a pink
complexion and using pursed-lip breathing.
Chronic Cough & Wheezing: Typically with minimal sputum production
compared to chronic bronchitis.
Fatigue & Sleep Disturbance: Secondary to the high energy cost of
breathing and nocturnal hypoxemia.
Side effects of a beta 2 medication
Bronchodilators can cause symptoms like dry mouth, a fast heart rate,
tremors/shaking, anxiety, dizziness, headaches and other rare side effects like
an upset stomach.
Techniques for administering a prescribed inhaler
Remove the cap and shake the inhaler. Have the patient blow a deep breath out.
Then you put the inhaler in their mouth, and have them place it between their
teeth and seal their lips around it. Instruct the patient to take a deep SLOW
breath in as you press down on the canister and continue to breath in for 10
seconds. After administered, place the cap back on the inhaler. You can repeat
this in one minute.
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema
, Can be caused by a heart condition or pneumonia. Chest pain, coughing, feeling
tired, getting short of breath are all symptoms. Rapid and shallow respirations,
dyspnea.
Signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis
Affects the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. Abdominal pain,
diarrhea or constipation, and heartburn. Coughing w/ or w/o blood; mucous,
wheezing, SOB, pulmonary hypertension. This condition could lead to acute
bronchitis, inability to gain weight - weight loss, and pneumonia.
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary chest pain
There are several intense symptoms associated with pulmonary chest pain.
Someone can feel tight, burning, or intense pressure. There can be acute pain
that worsens with activity, comes and goes, or pain that stays
Differentiate between congestive heart failure and pneumonia
Both CHF and pneumonia cause the lungs to retain fluid, the main difference is
why the fluid is there. A patient with congestive heart failure not only has fluid
in their lungs (pleural effusion, pulmonary edema), but will also have fluid
build up in their peripheral extremities. This is caused by biventricular
backflow/regurgitation. Blood from the right side of the heart backs into the
extremities causing fluid retention. Similarly blood from the left side of the
heart backflows into the lungs which causes pulmonary hypertension,
pulmonary edema, and other fluid related problems.
Pneumonia is caused by a bacterial or viral infection and is treated with
antibiotics and/or cough medicine. CHF is treated with Lasix and possible
surgery (TAVR, Mitral Clip, open heart)
