N322 Tracheostomy and Chest Tubes Exam Questions and Answers Already Passed Latest
Update 2025-2026
What are the different types of artificial airways? - Answers Oral
Nasopharyngeal
Endotracheal
Why would an oropharygeal airway be needed? - Answers To stop the tongue from occluding
the airway
When is an oropharyngeal airway used? - Answers Someone who can breathe on their own.
How is the oral airway sized? - Answers Measure from earlobe to corner of mouth
Between ET and tracheostomy tubes, which is long term and which is short term? - Answers ET
is short term
What is the difference between the way an ET and tracheostomy are placed? - Answers ET
through the mouth, trach through the throat.
What are some indications for ET and tracheostomies? - Answers Those under general
anethesia
Trauma
Lung disease
Weak muscles
Paralyzed
How long can ET tubes be used? - Answers 1-2 weeks then tracheostomy
What are the parts of a tracheostomy? - Answers Obturator
Inner cannula
Tube with plate
What is the obturator for? - Answers To place the trach then needs to be removed and saved at
the bed side.
What is the purpose of the inner cannula? - Answers Keeps it clean and clear
Can't talk with this in
What are advantages of a tracheostomy compared to an ET tube? - Answers Less
, uncomfortable
Can eat with trach
Less traumatic; doesn't go through vocal cords
Safer
Lower risk for aspiration
Easier to breathe because not breathing through a tube
What is the purpose of the cuff? - Answers Occlusion of the airway; do not over inflate.
What is a fenestrated tube? - Answers Tube with an opening that makes speech easier
How are trachs sized for pediatrics? - Answers Should be size of their little finger
What is a Silver/Jackson trach? - Answers Metal life-long trach tube
How do the different sizes of trach tubes vary? - Answers By length and inner diameter
What is some info that should be included in the hand off? - Answers Type and size
Cuff or no cuff
Cuff pressure
Secretions
How frequent is suction? Last time?
How long has it been in?
When was the inner cannula changed/cleaned?
What are complications associated with tracheostomies? - Answers Aspiration
Airway occlusion
Fistula
Growth, polyps, ulcers
Hemorrhage
Pressure ulcers
Vocal cord paralysis
Update 2025-2026
What are the different types of artificial airways? - Answers Oral
Nasopharyngeal
Endotracheal
Why would an oropharygeal airway be needed? - Answers To stop the tongue from occluding
the airway
When is an oropharyngeal airway used? - Answers Someone who can breathe on their own.
How is the oral airway sized? - Answers Measure from earlobe to corner of mouth
Between ET and tracheostomy tubes, which is long term and which is short term? - Answers ET
is short term
What is the difference between the way an ET and tracheostomy are placed? - Answers ET
through the mouth, trach through the throat.
What are some indications for ET and tracheostomies? - Answers Those under general
anethesia
Trauma
Lung disease
Weak muscles
Paralyzed
How long can ET tubes be used? - Answers 1-2 weeks then tracheostomy
What are the parts of a tracheostomy? - Answers Obturator
Inner cannula
Tube with plate
What is the obturator for? - Answers To place the trach then needs to be removed and saved at
the bed side.
What is the purpose of the inner cannula? - Answers Keeps it clean and clear
Can't talk with this in
What are advantages of a tracheostomy compared to an ET tube? - Answers Less
, uncomfortable
Can eat with trach
Less traumatic; doesn't go through vocal cords
Safer
Lower risk for aspiration
Easier to breathe because not breathing through a tube
What is the purpose of the cuff? - Answers Occlusion of the airway; do not over inflate.
What is a fenestrated tube? - Answers Tube with an opening that makes speech easier
How are trachs sized for pediatrics? - Answers Should be size of their little finger
What is a Silver/Jackson trach? - Answers Metal life-long trach tube
How do the different sizes of trach tubes vary? - Answers By length and inner diameter
What is some info that should be included in the hand off? - Answers Type and size
Cuff or no cuff
Cuff pressure
Secretions
How frequent is suction? Last time?
How long has it been in?
When was the inner cannula changed/cleaned?
What are complications associated with tracheostomies? - Answers Aspiration
Airway occlusion
Fistula
Growth, polyps, ulcers
Hemorrhage
Pressure ulcers
Vocal cord paralysis
