The nurse is providing care to a client who has a tracheostomy. The nurse will monitor the client for complications related to the loss of which protective mechanism?
A) The ability to cough
B) Filtration and humidification of inspired air
C) Decrease in oxygen-carrying capacity of the trachea
D) The sneeze reflex initiated by irritants in the nasal passages
Answer: B
When the nasal passages are bypassed, as they would be in the case of a client with a tracheostomy, the filtration, humidification, and warming of the nasal passages are also bypassed. The client can still cough and sneeze, and there is no decrease in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the trachea.
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