FISDAP Airway Examination - Practice Test 2026/2027
FISDAP AIRWAY EXAM
3 VERSIONS (A, B & C)
LATEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
300+ QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
EXAM STRUCTURE:
Version A: 100+ Questions
Version B: 100+ Questions
Version C: 100+ Questions
Each Version Contains 6 Core Domains:
- Domain 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology (15 questions)
- Domain 2: Oxygenation & Ventilation Techniques (20 questions)
- Domain 3: Basic Airway Adjuncts & Maneuvers (15 questions)
- Domain 4: Advanced Airway Management (20 questions)
- Domain 5: Respiratory Emergencies & Pathophysiology (25 questions)
- Domain 6: Special Populations & Critical Thinking (15 questions)
ALIGNMENT:
FISDAP Testing Standards | NREMT Cognitive Exam Blueprint | Evidence-Based Airway
Management Protocols
, FISDAP Airway Examination - Practice Test 2026/2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VERSION A ................................................................................................................................. i
Domain 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology ............................................................................... i
Domain 2: Oxygenation & Ventilation Techniques .................................................................. i
Domain 3: Basic Airway Adjuncts & Maneuvers ..................................................................... i
Domain 4: Advanced Airway Management ............................................................................. i
Domain 5: Respiratory Emergencies & Pathophysiology ........................................................ i
Domain 6: Special Populations & Critical Thinking ................................................................. i
VERSION B ................................................................................................................................. i
VERSION C ................................................................................................................................. i
, FISDAP Airway Examination - Practice Test 2026/2027
VERSION A
Domain 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology
Q1:A 45-year-old male patient presents following a motor vehicle collision. He is complaining of
difficulty breathing. Upon assessment, you note that the patient has a fractured mandible and
significant oral bleeding. Which anatomical structure is MOST likely compromised, placing this
patient at immediate risk for airway obstruction?
A. Nasopharynx
B. Oropharynx [CORRECT]
C. Laryngopharynx
D. Hypopharynx
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:The oropharynx is the region posterior to the oral cavity, bounded superiorly by the soft
palate and inferiorly by the epiglottis. A fractured mandible with significant oral bleeding directly
compromises the oropharyngeal space, allowing blood, bone fragments, and soft tissue to obstruct
this critical airway passage. The oropharynx is the most common site of upper airway obstruction in
trauma patients with facial injuries.
Q2:During endotracheal intubation of a 28-year-old female patient, you visualize the vocal
cords. Which anatomical landmark indicates the narrowest portion of the adult larynx and is the
critical site for endotracheal tube placement?
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Cricoid cartilage [CORRECT]
C. Arytenoid cartilages
D. Epiglottis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:The cricoid cartilage forms a complete ring and represents the narrowest portion of the
adult larynx. It is located at the level of C6 vertebra and serves as the critical landmark for confirming
proper endotracheal tube placement. The cricoid cartilage also plays a vital role in Sellick's maneuver
during rapid sequence intubation.
Q3:A 3-year-old child presents with respiratory distress secondary to a foreign body aspiration.
As you prepare for airway management, you recall that the pediatric airway differs anatomically
, FISDAP Airway Examination - Practice Test 2026/2027
from the adult airway. Which of the following statements accurately describes a key anatomical
difference in the pediatric airway?
A. The pediatric larynx is positioned more anteriorly and superiorly [CORRECT]
B. The pediatric epiglottis is narrower and more flexible
C. The pediatric tongue is proportionally smaller relative to the oral cavity
D. The pediatric vocal cords are positioned more posteriorly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:The pediatric larynx is positioned more anteriorly and superiorly (at the level of C3-C4 in
infants versus C4-C5 in children and C6 in adults), making visualization during intubation more
challenging. The pediatric epiglottis is proportionally larger, more omega-shaped, and more floppy
than in adults.
Q4:You are managing a 67-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
who presents with acute respiratory distress. The patient has a barrel chest appearance and
uses accessory muscles to breathe. Which physiological principle explains why these patients
are particularly vulnerable to respiratory fatigue?
A. Increased lung compliance requires less work of breathing
B. Decreased elastic recoil leads to inadequate passive exhalation [CORRECT]
C. Increased alveolar surface area improves gas exchange
D. Enhanced diaphragmatic efficiency reduces energy expenditure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:In COPD, destruction of alveolar walls and loss of elastic fibers result in decreased elastic
recoil, which is essential for passive exhalation. This forces patients to use active muscular effort for
both inspiration and expiration, dramatically increasing the work of breathing.
Q5:A 55-year-old male patient presents with severe hypoxemia. His arterial blood gas reveals a
PaO2 of 55 mmHg while breathing room air. You calculate his alveolar-arterial (A-a) gradient to
assess the etiology of his hypoxemia. Which of the following conditions typically presents with a
NORMAL A-a gradient?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. High altitude hypoxia [CORRECT]
D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:High altitude hypoxia causes hypoxemia due to decreased inspired partial pressure of
oxygen without any impairment in gas exchange across the alveolar-capillary membrane. Therefore,
FISDAP AIRWAY EXAM
3 VERSIONS (A, B & C)
LATEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
300+ QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
EXAM STRUCTURE:
Version A: 100+ Questions
Version B: 100+ Questions
Version C: 100+ Questions
Each Version Contains 6 Core Domains:
- Domain 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology (15 questions)
- Domain 2: Oxygenation & Ventilation Techniques (20 questions)
- Domain 3: Basic Airway Adjuncts & Maneuvers (15 questions)
- Domain 4: Advanced Airway Management (20 questions)
- Domain 5: Respiratory Emergencies & Pathophysiology (25 questions)
- Domain 6: Special Populations & Critical Thinking (15 questions)
ALIGNMENT:
FISDAP Testing Standards | NREMT Cognitive Exam Blueprint | Evidence-Based Airway
Management Protocols
, FISDAP Airway Examination - Practice Test 2026/2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VERSION A ................................................................................................................................. i
Domain 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology ............................................................................... i
Domain 2: Oxygenation & Ventilation Techniques .................................................................. i
Domain 3: Basic Airway Adjuncts & Maneuvers ..................................................................... i
Domain 4: Advanced Airway Management ............................................................................. i
Domain 5: Respiratory Emergencies & Pathophysiology ........................................................ i
Domain 6: Special Populations & Critical Thinking ................................................................. i
VERSION B ................................................................................................................................. i
VERSION C ................................................................................................................................. i
, FISDAP Airway Examination - Practice Test 2026/2027
VERSION A
Domain 1: Airway Anatomy & Physiology
Q1:A 45-year-old male patient presents following a motor vehicle collision. He is complaining of
difficulty breathing. Upon assessment, you note that the patient has a fractured mandible and
significant oral bleeding. Which anatomical structure is MOST likely compromised, placing this
patient at immediate risk for airway obstruction?
A. Nasopharynx
B. Oropharynx [CORRECT]
C. Laryngopharynx
D. Hypopharynx
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:The oropharynx is the region posterior to the oral cavity, bounded superiorly by the soft
palate and inferiorly by the epiglottis. A fractured mandible with significant oral bleeding directly
compromises the oropharyngeal space, allowing blood, bone fragments, and soft tissue to obstruct
this critical airway passage. The oropharynx is the most common site of upper airway obstruction in
trauma patients with facial injuries.
Q2:During endotracheal intubation of a 28-year-old female patient, you visualize the vocal
cords. Which anatomical landmark indicates the narrowest portion of the adult larynx and is the
critical site for endotracheal tube placement?
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Cricoid cartilage [CORRECT]
C. Arytenoid cartilages
D. Epiglottis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:The cricoid cartilage forms a complete ring and represents the narrowest portion of the
adult larynx. It is located at the level of C6 vertebra and serves as the critical landmark for confirming
proper endotracheal tube placement. The cricoid cartilage also plays a vital role in Sellick's maneuver
during rapid sequence intubation.
Q3:A 3-year-old child presents with respiratory distress secondary to a foreign body aspiration.
As you prepare for airway management, you recall that the pediatric airway differs anatomically
, FISDAP Airway Examination - Practice Test 2026/2027
from the adult airway. Which of the following statements accurately describes a key anatomical
difference in the pediatric airway?
A. The pediatric larynx is positioned more anteriorly and superiorly [CORRECT]
B. The pediatric epiglottis is narrower and more flexible
C. The pediatric tongue is proportionally smaller relative to the oral cavity
D. The pediatric vocal cords are positioned more posteriorly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:The pediatric larynx is positioned more anteriorly and superiorly (at the level of C3-C4 in
infants versus C4-C5 in children and C6 in adults), making visualization during intubation more
challenging. The pediatric epiglottis is proportionally larger, more omega-shaped, and more floppy
than in adults.
Q4:You are managing a 67-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
who presents with acute respiratory distress. The patient has a barrel chest appearance and
uses accessory muscles to breathe. Which physiological principle explains why these patients
are particularly vulnerable to respiratory fatigue?
A. Increased lung compliance requires less work of breathing
B. Decreased elastic recoil leads to inadequate passive exhalation [CORRECT]
C. Increased alveolar surface area improves gas exchange
D. Enhanced diaphragmatic efficiency reduces energy expenditure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:In COPD, destruction of alveolar walls and loss of elastic fibers result in decreased elastic
recoil, which is essential for passive exhalation. This forces patients to use active muscular effort for
both inspiration and expiration, dramatically increasing the work of breathing.
Q5:A 55-year-old male patient presents with severe hypoxemia. His arterial blood gas reveals a
PaO2 of 55 mmHg while breathing room air. You calculate his alveolar-arterial (A-a) gradient to
assess the etiology of his hypoxemia. Which of the following conditions typically presents with a
NORMAL A-a gradient?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. High altitude hypoxia [CORRECT]
D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:High altitude hypoxia causes hypoxemia due to decreased inspired partial pressure of
oxygen without any impairment in gas exchange across the alveolar-capillary membrane. Therefore,
