After total laryngectomy, which statement about breathing is true?

Prepare for the Hurst Readiness Exam 2 with engaging quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Master your exam with confidence!

Breathing after a total laryngectomy occurs through a neck stoma because the airway is permanently redirected there when the larynx is removed. The upper airway (mouth and nose) is no longer part of the respiratory tract, so air enters and leaves through the tracheostomy opening in the neck. The nasal passages and mouth remain involved in eating and speaking, not breathing. A tracheoesophageal puncture is a separate technique used to restore voice with a prosthesis, not for respiration, and isn’t limited to sleep. That’s why breathing through the stoma in the neck is the true statement.