Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

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An opening into the airway is called a ____________.

trachelectomy
tracheomalacia
tracheotomy
tracheoscopy

The correct answer is: tracheotomy

The term that refers to an opening created directly into the airway is tracheotomy. This surgical procedure involves making an incision in the trachea (the windpipe) to allow for direct access to the airway, typically employed when a patient cannot breathe normally due to obstruction or other respiratory issues. It provides critical access for ventilation and may be necessary for long-term respiratory support. The other terms mentioned have different meanings in the medical field: a trachelectomy involves the surgical removal of the cervix, tracheomalacia refers to the softening of the tracheal walls, often leading to collapse during breathing, and tracheoscopy pertains to the examination of the trachea using a scope. Hence, only tracheotomy correctly describes the creation of an opening into the airway.