Final answer:
Breathing typically becomes easier with a tracheostomy tube in place, as it bypasses any obstructions in the natural airway and allows for a secure passage of air into the trachea and lungs.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a tracheostomy tube is placed, it does indeed bypass the nose and mouth. The effect on breathing is generally to make it easier, especially if the procedure is done to address an obstructed airway or to provide an open and secure airway during general anesthesia. Therefore, the correct answer here would be 2) Breathing becomes easier. Without the natural passage through the nose and mouth, air no longer passes through the nasal cavity, which is typically responsible for warming and humidifying the air; however, the tube ensures that air can still travel through the trachea effectively. This bypass can be crucial, for instance, if increased airway resistance or conditions like asthma, fibrosis, or emphysema cause the airways to narrow or stiffen, making breathing through the nose and mouth difficult.
For patients undergoing surgery, endotracheal intubation assists with maintaining a patent airway during times when the muscles necessary for breathing might be inhibited by anesthesia. In such cases, the tube provides a necessary pathway for air to reach the lungs, ensuring proper gas exchange with the blood even while natural respiratory function is impaired.