NCLEX Examination.
Practice Question # 860.
nclex examination
TRACHEOSTOMY
A tracheotomy is a surgical procedure in which an opening is made into the trachea. The indwelling tube inserted into the trachea is called a tracheostomy tube. A tracheostomy may be either temporary or permanent.
A tracheostomy is used to bypass an upper airway obstruction, to allow removal of tracheobronchial secretions, to permit the long-term use of mechanical ventilation, to prevent aspiration of oral or gastric secretions in the unconscious or paralyzed patient (by closing off the trachea from the esophagus), and to replace an endotracheal tube. There are many disease processes and emergency conditions that make a tracheostomy necessary.
