Airway: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Airway

Sample item

A standard open tracheostomy is made at which level?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Second to fourth tracheal rings

A tracheostomy is placed through the second to fourth rings, below the thyroid isthmus or through it. Opening above this risks subglottic stenosis, and opening too low risks erosion of the innominate artery. A cricothyrotomy is an emergency airway through the cricothyroid membrane.

Option by option

  • A. Cricothyroid membrane

    The cricothyroid membrane is the site of emergency cricothyrotomy, not elective tracheostomy.

  • B. Second to fourth tracheal rings (correct)

    Correct. It is below the cricoid and above the sternal notch.

  • C. Fifth to seventh tracheal rings

    A lower opening risks injury to major vessels.

  • D. First tracheal ring only

    Using the first ring risks subglottic stenosis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Second to fourth tracheal rings. A tracheostomy is placed through the second to fourth rings, below the thyroid isthmus or through it.

Why is "Cricothyroid membrane" not the answer?

The cricothyroid membrane is the site of emergency cricothyrotomy, not elective tracheostomy.

Why is "Fifth to seventh tracheal rings" not the answer?

A lower opening risks injury to major vessels.

Why is "First tracheal ring only" not the answer?

Using the first ring risks subglottic stenosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway in ENT. Opening above this risks subglottic stenosis, and opening too low risks erosion of the innominate artery. A cricothyrotomy is an emergency airway through the cricothyroid membrane.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Airway?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.