A patient in the ICU has had an endotracheal tube in place for 3 weeks. The physician has ordered that a tracheostomy tube be placed. The patient's family wants to know why the endotracheal tube cannot be left in place. What would be the nurse's best response?

"The physician may feel that mechanical ventilation will have to be used long- term."

"Long-term use of an endotracheal tube diminishes the normal breathing reflex."

"When an endotracheal tube is left in too long it can damage the lining of the windpipe."

"It is much harder to breathe through an endotracheal tube than a tracheostomy."