Paramedic Airway FISDAP
Review Part 1
EXAM|COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026 (GRADED A+)
DETAILED ANSWERS!!
Appropriate airway management - ANSWER ✔✔*Steps must be
performed in order. Bypass steps that do not apply.*
a. Open and maintain a patent airway.
,b. Recognize and treat airway obstructions.
c. Assess ventilation and oxygenation status.
d. Administer supplemental oxygen.
e.Provide ventilatory assistance.
Upper airway - ANSWER ✔✔Consists of all anatomic airway
structures above the glottic opening.
*1. Tongue*
a. Must be manipulated
b. Tends to fall back into the posterior pharynx in unresponsive patient
*2. Pharynx*
a. Muscular tube that extends from the nose and mouth to the
esophagus and trachea
b. Composed of:
i. Nasopharynx
ii. Oropharynx
iii. Laryngopharynx (hypopharynx)
Lower airway - ANSWER ✔✔Extends from the glottis to the
pulmonary capillary membrane.
,1. *Larynx*
2. *Thyroid cartilage*
3. *Cricoid cartilage (cricoid ring)*
4. *Cricothyroid membrane*
5. *Glottis*
6. *Trachea*
1. Larynx - ANSWER ✔✔-Complex structure formed by many
independent cartilaginous structures
-Marks where the upper airway ends and lower airway begins
2. Thyroid cartilage - ANSWER ✔✔-Shield-shaped structure formed
by two plates that join in a "V" shape anteriorly to form the laryngeal
prominence
i. Known as the Adam's apple
ii. More pronounced in men
iii. Can be difficult to locate in obese or short-necked patients
-Suspended from the hyoid bone by the thyroid ligament
-Directly anterior to the glottic opening
COPYRIGHT©NINJANERD 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
, 3. Cricoid cartilage (cricoid ring) - ANSWER ✔✔-Lies inferiorly to the
thyroid cartilage
-Forms the lowest portion of the larynx
-More prominent in females
4. Cricothyroid membrane - ANSWER ✔✔-Located between the
thyroid and cricoid cartilage
-Site for emergency surgical and nonsurgical access to the airway
-Bordered laterally and inferiorly by the highly vascular thyroid gland
5. Glottis - ANSWER ✔✔-Narrowest portion of the adult airway
-Vocal cords are located at the lateral borders of the glottis.
-Epiglottis is located at the superior border of the glottis.
-ET intubation requires visualizing the epiglottis, glottis, and vocal cords
before inserting the ET tube.
6. Trachea - ANSWER ✔✔-Immediately descends into the thoracic
cavity
-Not a straight tube, which is key to understand when placing an ET tube
Review Part 1
EXAM|COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026 (GRADED A+)
DETAILED ANSWERS!!
Appropriate airway management - ANSWER ✔✔*Steps must be
performed in order. Bypass steps that do not apply.*
a. Open and maintain a patent airway.
,b. Recognize and treat airway obstructions.
c. Assess ventilation and oxygenation status.
d. Administer supplemental oxygen.
e.Provide ventilatory assistance.
Upper airway - ANSWER ✔✔Consists of all anatomic airway
structures above the glottic opening.
*1. Tongue*
a. Must be manipulated
b. Tends to fall back into the posterior pharynx in unresponsive patient
*2. Pharynx*
a. Muscular tube that extends from the nose and mouth to the
esophagus and trachea
b. Composed of:
i. Nasopharynx
ii. Oropharynx
iii. Laryngopharynx (hypopharynx)
Lower airway - ANSWER ✔✔Extends from the glottis to the
pulmonary capillary membrane.
,1. *Larynx*
2. *Thyroid cartilage*
3. *Cricoid cartilage (cricoid ring)*
4. *Cricothyroid membrane*
5. *Glottis*
6. *Trachea*
1. Larynx - ANSWER ✔✔-Complex structure formed by many
independent cartilaginous structures
-Marks where the upper airway ends and lower airway begins
2. Thyroid cartilage - ANSWER ✔✔-Shield-shaped structure formed
by two plates that join in a "V" shape anteriorly to form the laryngeal
prominence
i. Known as the Adam's apple
ii. More pronounced in men
iii. Can be difficult to locate in obese or short-necked patients
-Suspended from the hyoid bone by the thyroid ligament
-Directly anterior to the glottic opening
COPYRIGHT©NINJANERD 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
, 3. Cricoid cartilage (cricoid ring) - ANSWER ✔✔-Lies inferiorly to the
thyroid cartilage
-Forms the lowest portion of the larynx
-More prominent in females
4. Cricothyroid membrane - ANSWER ✔✔-Located between the
thyroid and cricoid cartilage
-Site for emergency surgical and nonsurgical access to the airway
-Bordered laterally and inferiorly by the highly vascular thyroid gland
5. Glottis - ANSWER ✔✔-Narrowest portion of the adult airway
-Vocal cords are located at the lateral borders of the glottis.
-Epiglottis is located at the superior border of the glottis.
-ET intubation requires visualizing the epiglottis, glottis, and vocal cords
before inserting the ET tube.
6. Trachea - ANSWER ✔✔-Immediately descends into the thoracic
cavity
-Not a straight tube, which is key to understand when placing an ET tube
