Question

A person who is severely allergic to nuts eats a candy bar without knowing that it contains finely chopped peanuts. Soon after massive inflammation in her pharynx blocks the passage of air to her trachea and lungs. An emergency tracheostomy must be performed. Explain why knowledge of the surface anatomy of the neck will help you perform this procedure successfully

Answer 1

Answer: A tracheostomy or called a stoma

Explanation:A tracheostomy is commonly referred to as a stoma. A tracheostomy is a medical procedure that either gives temporary or permanent opening in the neck in order to place a tube into a person's windpipe. This allows air to enter the lungs when it is not able to enter other ways. A tracheostomy is performed for several reasons, all involving someone not able to take in air, done during an emergency, when the airway is blocked. This allows air to enter the lungs. Breathing is then done through the tube, bypassing the mouth, nose, and throat.  This is the name for the hole in the neck that the tube passes through.

Without understanding of surface anatomy of the neck you could cause someone to bleed-out. Risks specific to a tracheostomy Include:

damage to the thyroid gland in the neck

erosion of the trachea, which is rare

lung collapse

scar tissue in the trachea